Neutron diffraction study of liquid fluorine at 77K

Measurements of the neutron scattering static structure factor S(Q) are reported for orthobaric liquid fluorine at 77 K for an incident wavelength of 1-2 Å. The observed S(Q) and the atom-atom correlation function are discussed and compared with those of other halogens and oxygen. From the d(γ) pair distribution function it is shown that liquid fluorine has a coordination number of first neighbours more similar to liquid oxygen than halogens. The number of atoms in the first and second coordination shell is in good agreement with a close-packed arrangement of atoms. © 1986 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.