METAL ATOM-INDUCED DIFFUSE-SCATTERING FROM SHORT-RANGE ORDER AMONG DEUTERIUM ATOMS IN SINGLE-CRYSTAL ALPHA-PHASE V2D

X-ray scattering has been studied above the critical ordering temperature, Tc (133°C), in b.c.c. α-phase V2D. At 140 and 200°C quite weak diffuse intensity was observed centered on the reciprocal lattice points of the ordered superlattice. This intensity is due to short-range order among deuterium atoms which induces a local or short-range modulation of the parent vanadium lattice and suggests the possibility of local octahedral D-D fluctuations building up well above Tc. © 1979.