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Title: Inelastic neutron scattering studies of vibrational excitations of hydrogen in Nb and Ta

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States)

Inelastic incoherent neutron scattering techniques have been used to study the optic vibrations in hydrides of Nb and Ta for hydrogen concentrations between 44 and 49 at. % in the case of Nb and 42 at. % for Ta and at temperatures between 10 and 295 K. In all cases the first harmonic of the singlet fundamental vibration could be observed with an anharmonic shift of 3--5 % to lower energies. In addition, evidence is presented for the first time of a combination band corresponding to the simultaneous excitation of the singlet and doublet fundamental vibration corresponding to out-of-plane and in-plane motion, respectively, of the proton on its tetrahedral site. These modes are coupled by anharmonic interactions which are described by a three-dimensional anharmonic-oscillator model of tetragonal symmetry (42m) appropriate to hydrogen in bcc metals. This analysis using both the present data as well as previous work by other authors gives a consistent picture of anharmonicity in the bcc metal hydrides. In addition, splittings and/or broadening of the observed vibrational peaks for some concentrations or temperatures could be correlated with recent, new information on the high-concentration, low-temperature portion of the NbH/sub x/ phase diagram.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
OSTI ID:
6315660
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Vol. 27:4
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English