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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Phase Diagram Characterization Using Magnetic Beads as Liquid Carriers
Published on: September 4, 2015
Observation of a liquid phase with an orthorhombic orientational order
1IMM Department of Solid State Chemistry, Radboud University Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Using surface x-ray diffraction, we have determined the structure of liquid Bi monolayers on Cu(111) for a range of coverages. By combining diffuse scattering data from the liquid with information from the substrate scattering, the ordering properties of Bi have been fully determined. Even though the substrate is hexagonal, we find that the liquid does not show hexatic order but has an orthorhombic orientational order that occurs in three domains. Simultaneously, Bi has partial solidlike properties, even well above its melting point.
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