X-ray diffraction studies of expanded fluid mercury using synchrotron radiation at SPring-8

The energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction measurements using synchrotron radi ation at SPring-8 for expanded fluid Hg were carried out in the wide densit y range from the liquid to the dense vapour region including the metal-nonm etal (M-NM) transition region. Density ranges from 13.6 to 1.9 gcm(-3). We obtained the structure factor S(k) and the pair distribution functions g(r) . The density variations of the obtained interatomic distance and coordinat ion number were discussed in relation to the M-NM transition in fluid Hg.