Structures and Transitions in Strontium

Abstract

The structural pressure dependence of strontium has been studied using angle-dispersive powder diffraction techniques with the image plate detector system. The two-dimensional diffraction data has allowed the clear identification of an accompanying minor phase in the Sr-III stability range which has enabled the structure of Sr-III to be assigned correctly as that of β-tin. The structural conformation and atomic coordination are very similar to those of β-Sn and of the high-pressure β-tin phases of Si and Ge. Sr is the first non group-IV element to be shown to have the “ideal” β-tin structure.