Searching for Natures Missing Crystal Structure

ORAL

Abstract

A recent report in Nature Materials inferred the existence of a few binary crystal structures never before observed or created. The crystal structures are simple derivative superstructures of the fcc lattice, with only 4 atoms/cell. One of these crystal structures, dubbed L1$_{3}$ by the author, has been predicted to exist in several binary intermetallic systems. To test these predictions, we used sputtering techniques to fabricate thin samples of Pt-Cd close to 3:1 stoichiometry. We analyzed the samples using electron diffraction and X-ray diffraction. We have found evidence of a new phase but are yet unable to confirm the exact ordering.

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Authors

  • Thomas O. McConkie

    Brigham Young University

  • David D. Allred

    Brigham Young University

  • Gus L.W. Hart

    Brigham Young University

  • Shufang Su

    Iowa State University, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of Arizona, Sandia National Laboratories, Physics Department, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409-1051, Northwestern University, Texas Tech University, University of Utah Department of Physics, University of Toulouse-UPS, IRSAMC, Toulouse, France, University of Arizona, Department of Physics, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Texas A\&M University, Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute, Birdville ISD, Universidad de Colima, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Brigham Young University, UT Atlington, MV Systems, Colorado State University, St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University, New Mexico State University, Texas State Univ., CAMD/LSU, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, North Side High School, Fort Worth, TX, Nitronex Corporation, Arizona State University, Angelo State University Department of Physics, Texas Tech University Deptarment of Electrical Engineering