Accurate Synchrotron Hard X-ray Diffraction Measurements on High-Temperature Liquid Oxides

Understanding liquid structures provides crucial information for uncovering the nature of glass transition. We adopted a combination of the aerodynamic levitation technique and the synchrotron hard X-rays to reveal the structure of high-temperature liquid oxides. To achieve accurate diffraction measurements, the Iwo-axis diffractometer at the high-energy X-ray diffraction beamline 13L04B2 of SPring-8 was upgraded. By installing four CdTe detectors and three Ge detectors, we can measure diffraction signals from levitated liquids approximately three times faster than the previous set-up. We have measured liquid (l)-Y2O3, l-Gd2O3 and l-Ho2O3. No first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) was observed in these non-glass forming liquids but a sharp principal peak (PP) was observed. Density data on these liquids necessary for further analysis are currently measured using the electrostatic levitation furnace in the International Space Station (ISS).