Acta Cryst. (2007). B63, 545-550 [ doi:10.1107/S0108768107026213 ]
Abstract: A structural phase transition from space-group symmetry P21/c to C2/c is reported for NaTaOGeO4 (NTGO). The critical temperature has been located at Tc = 116 K, based on the appearance of sharp diffraction maxima at positions h + k = 2n + 1 of reciprocal space on cooling below this temperature. Strongly anisotropic diffuse scattering in sheets normal to [001] is observable for T > Tc and persists up to ambient temperature. Similarities to phase transitions observed in other compounds of the titanite structure type are discussed. The symmetry properties of these phase transitions are reassessed on the basis of the structural data available. The primary order parameter is identified with the displacement of the transition metal cation M (M = Ta in NTGO) away from the centre of symmetry that it nominally occupies in the paraphase. The order parameter transforms as the Y
representation. The anisotropic diffuse scattering is attributed to the one-dimensional correlation of local M displacements parallel to the direction of chains of trans-corner-sharing MO6 octahedra. The critical temperatures of the isomorphous phase transitions in various titanite-type compounds depend linearly on the squared transition-metal displacement measured in the ordered P21/c phase.
Keywords: phase transition; symmetry properties; order; critical temperature.
 |   Structure factor file (CIF format) (665.6 kbytes) |
| Structure factor file (CIF format) (961.6 kbytes) |
To open or display or play some files, you may need to set your browser up to use the appropriate software. See the full list of file types for an explanation of the different file types and their related mime types and, where available links to sites from where the appropriate software may be obtained.
The download button will force most browsers to prompt for a file name to store the data on your hard disk.
Where possible, images are represented by thumbnails.
Copyright © International Union of Crystallography
IUCr Webmaster