Lattice Constants of Separated Lithium Isotopes

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1957 · Journal of Chemical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1743926· OSTI ID:4344387

Covington, E. J.; Montgomery, D. J.

The lattice constant for highly enriched (> 99%) samples of Li⁶ and Li⁷ metal was determined at 20 deg C by x-ray diffraction methods. The constant for Li⁶ was found to be fractionally larger than that for Li⁷ by about 4 x 10^-4. These results are not inconsistent with a rough theoretical estimate for the fractional difference of 3 x 10^-4. It is likely that the constant for Li⁷ does not differ from that for natural lithium by more than l x 10^-4. The fact that the lighter isotope has the larger lattice constant constitutes experimental evidence for the reality of zero- point energy.

• Research Organization: Michigan State Univ., East Lansing
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-12-002752
• OSTI ID: 4344387
• Journal Information: Journal of Chemical Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Chemical Physics Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 27; ISSN JCPSA6; ISSN 0021-9606
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics (AIP)
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
DIFFRACTION
ENERGY
ENRICHMENT
ISOTOPE SEPARATION
LATTICES
LITHIUM 6
LITHIUM 7
LITHIUM ISOTOPES
X RADIATION