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Observation of structural transformations in metal oxygen
G Weck1, P Loubeyre, R LeToullec
1DIF/DPTA, CEA 91680 Bruyères-le-Châtel, France.
Physical Review Letters
|January 22, 2002
Summary
Metallic oxygen remains molecular up to 120 GPa, confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Metallization at 96 GPa involves a structural shift, with a new phase appearing at 110 GPa.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Materials science
- High-pressure physics
Background:
- Solid oxygen exhibits complex phase transitions under extreme pressure.
- Understanding the electronic and structural properties of oxygen at high pressures is crucial for materials science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural and electronic properties of solid oxygen under high pressure.
- To determine the phase transitions and metallization behavior of oxygen up to 120 GPa.
Main Methods:
- X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements up to 115 GPa.
- Raman spectroscopy measurements up to 120 GPa.
- Analysis of vibron mode evolution to track phase transitions.
Main Results:
- Metallization of solid oxygen observed at 96 GPa, associated with a continuous displacive structural transformation.
- A new structural phase of oxygen stabilized at 110 GPa.
- The vibron mode's continuity at 96 GPa, followed by peak broadening and reappearance at 110 GPa with a frequency discontinuity, indicates molecular behavior.
Conclusions:
- Metallic oxygen retains its molecular structure up to at least 120 GPa.
- The observed structural transformations and vibron mode evolution provide insights into the high-pressure phases of oxygen.