Static and Dynamic Structures of Expanded Fluid Mercury

Abstract

Abstract X-ray diffraction, small angle X-ray scattering and preliminary inelastic X-ray scattering measurements for a metallic fluid up to the supercritical region have been carried out using synchrotron radiation at SPring-8. We obtained the structure factor, S(k), and the pair distribution functions, g(r), for expanded fluid Hg from the liquid to the dense vapour region by X-ray diffraction measurements. Change of the local structure in the metal–insulator transition in fluid Hg is discussed. To obtain information on the density fluctuation in fluid Hg near the critical point, small angle X-ray scattering measurements were carried out at SPring-8. In addition to the static structures, the dynamic structure factor of expanded fluid Hg was obtained for the first time using inelastic X-ray scattering technique newly established at a synchrotron radiation facility of the third generation source. Preliminary results of the first experiment are presented.