Static and dynamic structure of liquids and glasses

Abstract

An introduction to static and dynamic structure factors for pure metals and alloys (either liquids or glasses) is presented, including the need for parallel investigations using experimental, simulation and theoretical methods. The significance of partial structure factors for the interpretation of data and their measurement by neutron and/or X-ray scattering methods is described. Applications of this discussion to the study of electronic and ionic distributions in pure metals are considered. An example of data on the static structure factors is given but, since that area is well covered in the literature and at this conference, more space is given to dynamic structure factors. Some remarks are made on the dynamic structure factor for glasses and the frequency-wave number relationship for collective modes. As an example of current analysis, the published data on liquid rubidium are reduced to the second order memory function, and compared with theoretical predictions at that level. It is concluded that this area is still a topical and an active one (e.g., 60 papers at LAM 7). Moreover, we may look forward to worthwhile improvements in all areas — experimental, simulation and theoretical — during the next decade.