Study of the Phase Transition in Hg2Cl2 Crystals Using Anomalous X-Ray Transmission

Abstract

The small-angle X-ray scattering in calomel (univalent mercury chloride Hg₂Cl₂) single crystals at low temperatures has been investigated. Data on the size of superstructural ferroelectric domains have been obtained for the first time. Lang measurements with anomalous X-ray transmission have made it possible to trace the temperature dynamics of crystal lattice of the high-temperature D_4h phase of Hg₂Cl₂ from 300 K to the Curie temperature (186 K) and the formation of ferroelastic domains in the temperature range of 186–100 K. The lowering of paraphase symmetry in the closest vicinity of the phase transition temperature is indicative of tricritical point transition.