Investigation and interpretation of diffuse X-ray scattering in Li₃N

Diffuse X-ray scattering in Li₃N has been investigated in the range 293 to 880 K with monochromatic Mo Kα radiation. Crystal and film were fixed during the exposure. Diffuse intensity in the form of rods and discs was found. It increased with increasing temperature but without change of its features. The diffuse intensity distribution was calculated for various temperatures on the basis of an anisotropic shell model. Good agreement with the experimental results was achieved. The anharmonic effects detected in the difference electron density were studied taking into account split positions for the Li ions. This simulation leads to only minor changes in the calculated intensity distribution which indicates that the diffuse intensity of Li₃N is mainly caused by harmonic lattice vibrations.