Characterising density fluctuations in liquid yttria aluminates with small angle x‐ray scattering

Small angle x‐ray scattering (SAXS) has been measured in the wavevector range $0.01<Q<1 Å−1$ for supercooled yttria‐alumina melts using a laser‐heated aerodynamic furnace. SAXS intensity rises gradually with temperature reflecting density fluctuations deriving from isothermal compressibility. With decreasing Q a minimum is located close to $0.1 Å−1$ at the foot of the inter‐atomic structure factor, below which SAXS rises, suggesting scatter from longer range fluctuating volumes.