Radial distribution function of amorphous phosphorus prepared by chemical transport in a low-pressure hydrogen plasma

Abstract

Amorphous phosphorus prepared by chemical transport in a low-pressure hydrogen plasma displays a remarkably well defined short-range order as shown by the experimentally determined radial distribution function (RDF). Because of the small width of the first and second maxima, the experimentally determined RDF is extremely sensitive to all errors arising during the X-ray measurement as well as to the computational limitations inherent in the method of determining the RDF. A structural model is suggested showing a close similarity with the ‘black’ crystalline polymorph.