POLARIZATION EFFECTS ON THE STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF IONIC MELTS

The effect of induced dipoles on the structure and dynamics of melts of stoichiometry MX2 is discussed. Interest centres on the case of M being a small, highly polarizing cation and X a highly polarizable anion. It is shown that 'covalent' effects on the short range structure and the appearance of a pre-peak in the structure factor may be explained within a purely ionic model. A connection between these structural features and the dynamical properties of 'strong'' liquids is suggested.