Experimental Observation of Maximum Density Fluctuation in Liquid Te

TL;DR

This study experimentally observes maximum density fluctuations in supercooled liquid tellurium using X-ray scattering, supporting the existence of a liquid-liquid phase transition and inhomogeneity at mesoscopic scales.

Contribution

It provides direct experimental evidence of density fluctuation maxima linked to liquid-liquid transition in supercooled Te, confirming theoretical predictions.

Findings

Maximum scattering intensity near 620 K in supercooled Te

Supports the existence of a liquid-liquid phase transition

Shows liquids can be inhomogeneous at mesoscopic scales

Abstract

We performed small-angle X-ray scattering measurements of liquid Te using a synchrotron radiation facility and observed the maximum scattering intensity near 620 K in the supercooled region (melting temperature 723 K). This result is an experimental observation of the ridge line of the critical density fluctuation associated with the liquid-liquid phase transition that is argued to exist in the supercooled region and verifies the existence of the transition. Similar results have been reported for supercooled liquid water, demonstrating the universality of the liquid-liquid transition concept (or inhomogeneous model) in explaining the thermodynamics of these "anomalous liquids". Moreover, as a more essential issue, it has been demonstrated that liquids can be inhomogeneous at mesoscopic scales, even in their thermal equilibrium state. This will contribute to a greater understanding of the physics of liquids, including glass-forming liquids.