X-ray diffraction analysis of molten trivalent halides

Molten structures of some trivalent halides were investigated by high-temperature X-ray diffraction method. Short-ranged structure of the melts, in which cation tends to be surrounded by six halide ions, was precisely determined from radial distribution function G(r). A first sharp diffraction peak corresponding to a medium-ranged structural order was detected in those melts. In the present work, correlation between the medium-ranged structural order and dynamic properties is discussed in view of the molecular dynamics simulation technique.