The q s t a l shlchlre of intermediate-valence (N) samarium hexaboride has been studied on single-crystal double-isotope samples '"Sm"B6 by x-ray diffractomeuy at room tempemre and by high-reslution powder neutron diffraction in the temperature mge 23 K < T 6 300 K. The x-ray experiment revealed the occurrence of vacancies at the boron site, larger t h e d vibrations of the Sm atom than of L a in the isosvUcNral non-IV material LaBs and an aspherical charge distribution around the Sm nucleus. The neutron diffraction experiment confirmed the anomalous temperature dependence of the IaHice parameter and revealed both a peculiar temperature dependence of the anisotropic thermal vibrations of the boron atom and a tempn?lNre-dependent change in the ratio of the isotropic thermal parameters of Ihe Sm and B atoms. T h e d vibrations of Ihe Sm ion can be satisfactorily described by the Einstein model with characteristic tempenhlre @a ? = IU) K within the whole temperahlre range. The data obtained a n discussed in terms of the influence of the fluctuating valence of the Sm ion on the structural parameters of atoms.
The crystal structure of Cet-xLax 1 IB6 solid solutions for various x has been studied by high-resolution powder neutron diffraction. A correction for the effect of primary extinction was applied to integrated intensities in a Rietveld program. The refinement results demonstrate good agreement with the data of X-ray single-crystal diffractometer studies performed on the same samples. Vacancies at the boron site and complete occupancy of the metal position are estabfished for all compositions studied. The refined values of the Ce/La ratio at the metal site are in good agreement with those determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry on single crystals.
Single crystals of the isotopic 'zero-matrix' samarium hexaboride (152SmlSaSmllB6) have been prepared by a modified variant of the high-temperature solution growth method. The crystals were studied by highresolution powder (HRP) neutron diffraction and X-ray single-crystal diffractometry. The occurrence of vacancies at the boron site and complete occupancy of the metal site was established from structure refinements. The results obtained demonstrate that the use of the 'zero-matrix' effect provides considerably increased precision in determining the structural parameters of atoms in hexaborides when studied by neutron diffraction.
The possibility of certifying and checking surface hardening of ceramic plates by neutron scattering methods using neutron radiation diffraction (Bragg and small-angle) is demonstrated. The surface hardening of corundum plates by modifying their surface using magnetron spraying and subsequent fusion of the hardened layer using en electron beam has been performed by the authors for the first time.
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