Abstract
Precise structural information on the Mg1-xAlxB2 superconductors in the vicinity of x≈0.5 is derived from high-resolution synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction measurements. We find that a hexagonal superstructure, accompanied by doubling of the c axis, ordering of Mg and Al in alternating layers, and a shift of the B layers towards Al by ∼0.12 Å, is formed. The unusually large width of the (00 12, superlattice peak implies the presence of microstrain broadening, arising from anisotropic stacking of Al and Mg layers and/or structural modulations within the ab plane. The ordered phase survives only over a limited range of compositions away from the optimum x = 0.5 doping level.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 014518 |
Pages (from-to) | 145181-145185 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Physical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics |
Volume | 66 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2002 Jul 1 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics