Effect of lattice strain on the Debye-Waller factors of Mg, Zn and Cd

Lattice strains in Mg, Zn and Cd powders produced by grinding have been analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction. The lattice strain (ɛ) and Debye-Waller factor (B) are determined from the half-widths and integrated intensities of the Bragg reflections. In all three cases viz. Mg, Zn and Cd, the Debye-Waller factor is found to increase with the lattice strain. From the correlation between the strain and effective Debye-Waller factor, the Debye-Waller factors for zero strain have been estimated for Mg, Zn and Cd. The variation of energy of vacancy formation as a function of lattice strain has been studied.