Local Structure of Functional Solids

Abstract

The local structure study reveals important aspects of the physical properties, because it is closely related to the electronic structure. Standard crystallographic analysis based on a space group fails to observe disorder in the crystal structure. Many functional and industrial materials have disorder, because of the optimized modifications of crystal structures such as the substitution of an element. Doped elements inevitably induce local strains in the matrix. Some neutron total scattering results are reviewed to show the local functional properties of solids from optical recording to negative thermal expansion to Mott transition materials.