Structure of High-Density Amorphous Ice by Neutron Diffraction

Abstract

The static structure factor and pair distribution function of high-density amorphous ${\mathrm{D}}_2$O ice, which is made by apparently melting ice I at 10.5 kbar and 77 K, have been determined by neutron diffraction at 17 K and zero pressure. The pair distribution function, scaled to 10 kbar, is compared with the same function for ${\mathrm{D}}_2$O liquid at 9.8 kbar and 321 K. The functions are very similar, which suggests that the structure of the high-density amorph is very similar to that of the, as yet hypothetical, glass that would be obtained by the quenching of water of 10 kbar.