Dynamic structure of liquid Se, Te and Se-Te mixtures by neutron scattering measurements

Inelastic neutron scattering measurements are performed to investigate the dynamic structure of liquid Se, Te, and Te50Se50. The bond-stretching modes for liquid Se and Te50Se50 (both are in the semiconducting phase) are clearly observed at higher-energy regions than that for their trigonal phase. This shift is a reflection of their pronounced molecular-like properties without prominent inter-molecular interactions, whereas the vibrational modes for liquid Te (in the metallic phase) show its metallic-like bonding character with remarkable inter-molecular interactions. We thus observed a change in dynamic structure that accompanies the semiconductor-to-metal transition, the change that would be related to the slow dynamics induced by the transition.