title: Temperature dependent next-neighbour dynamics of liquid lead.
abstract: The temperature dependence of the density correlation function at next-neighbour distances has been investigated for the liquid metal lead. This correlation function is a sensitive parameter for changes in the local environment and its Fourier transform was measured in a coherent inelastic neutron scattering experiment. The zero-frequency amplitude related to the long time decay of density fluctuations decreases in a nonlinear way and indicates a change in dynamics above the melting point. The derived generalized longitudinal viscosity shows a decrease near this temperature range. From these observations we suppose that solidification sets in on a microscopic level distinct above the melting point.
authors.affiliation: ISIS Facility, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton OX11 0QX, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Demmel
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Howells
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morkel