Abstract
Since the theoretical foundations of radial distribution analysis of liquid diffraction patterns were laid in 1927 by Zernike and Prins, progress in apparatus and experimental techniques has ensured a greater reliability and hence a greater confidence in the method as a means of evaluating the structure of liquids.
A detailed discussion is given of apparatus and experimental methods and the procedure for processing experimental data is described from the polarization and absorption corrections to an estimation of the reliability of the final radial distribution curve.
Spurious phenomena in the radial distribution curve may be due to errors in intensity observations due to statistical fluctuations, non-linearity of counter or photographic characteristics or from the termination effect which is, however, not significant for the broad distribution in liquids.
A critical review is given of the individual radial distribution curves reported for monatomic, diatomic and polyatomic liquids, liquid alloys, water and its aqueous solutions, ionic liquids, molten oxides and glasses.