Investigation of antiphase domains in lithium ferrite by analysis of the broadened X-ray lines

The formation and growth of antiphase domains in lithium ferrite has been investigated through an analysis of the X-ray diffraction line broadening. Calculations of the parameter J'(0)/J(0) have been carried out by the method of Wilson & Zsoldos [Proc. R. Soc. London, (1966), A290, 508-514], for various boundary structure models with allowance being made for the presence of enantiomorphism. The experimental results indicate that the boundaries form predominantly on {110} planes, which is consistent with the principle of tetrahedral charge invariance. It has also been found that during the initial stages of growth the domain thickness distribution resembles a Gaussian curve, but as further growth occurs it takes on a truncated Cauchy-like character. The rate of this change is strongly correlated with the time of growth dependence of the mean domain thickness. Finally, an activation energy of 3.1 ± 0.8 eV was obtained for the growth process which is in reasonable agreement with the calculated value (2.53 eV).