Structure of liquid boron

The structure factor S(Q) and the pair distribution function g(r) has been measured for liquid boron in the temperature range 2600-2000 K, extending over both the normal and supercooled liquid states. The bond length and coordination number of the first coordination shell are similar to those reported for the crystalline and amorphous solid forms, but the second and third coordination shells are broader and shifted to higher distances. The insulator-metal transition that takes place in boron upon melting is associated with a relatively small change in both volume and short-range order.