Abstract

We have studied the structure of yttria (Y2O3) by means of ab initio and molecular dynamics methods. The suggested simple model for the interatomic interaction is shown to produce reasonable results at moderate pressures for a wide range of temperatures. The calculated x-ray structure factor is in good agreement with experimental data obtained by the x-ray levitation technique at the temperature of 2526 K. The quality of the agreement decreases with increasing temperature. We demonstrate that it is not necessary to assume nonstoichiometry of liquid yttria, as was done in a recent publication, to obtain agreement with experiment. The structure of liquid yttria can be considered as a mixture of 4- and 6-coordinated Y atoms. We also show the possibility of a "light" amorphous yttria phase, which possibly can be obtained by quenching from a vapor instead of "conventional" amorphous yttria quenched from a liquid.