Modulated Structure of the Composite Crystal Ca0.83CuO2

We have determined the crystal structure of the quasi one-dimensional cuprate Ca_0.83CuO₂, known as Ca₄Cu₅O₁₀, etc., by a superspace group approach. The compound consists of two interpenetrating subsystems of CuO₂ chains and Ca atoms. Structural parameters were refined with a superspace group of F2/m(1+α 0 γ)0s using powder X-ray and neutron diffraction data. Lattice parameters were refined to be a₁=2.8043(2) Å, b=6.3179(2) Å, c₁=10.5744(5) Å, and β₁=90.10(1)° for the CuO₂] subsystem and a₂=3.3652(2) Å, b=6.3179(2) Å, c₂=10.5893(5) Å, and β₂=93.04(1)° for the Ca] subsystem. Remarkable displacive modulation of the O and Ca atom sites is observed parallel to the b-axis and the c-axis, respectively. On the other hand, the Cu atom sites deviate mainly in the a direction to yield a periodic fluctuation between the nearest Cu-Cu distances. The Ca atoms suitably sit in the center of the modulated O₆ octahedra.