Atomic Radial Distributions and Ion-Ion Potential in Liquid Gallium

The atomic radial distributions for liquid gallium at 50 and 150^ have been derived from the measured neutron-diffraction intensity patterns. In this study the fundamental equation of the Percus---Yevick (PY) theory of liquids has been set out in a simple form suitable for the direct exploitation of neutron-diffraction data. Equivalent forms of the (PY) equation have been obtained. An approximate form of the ion-ion interaction in liquid gallium at 50 and 150^ has been derived. Analogies in the atomic short-range order have been found between the liquid phase and the solid metastable phase. These analogies are stressed by the changes in the density and in the resistivity of the metastable phase at melting point; the behavior displayed is common to the majority of metals.