X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of local dynamics and thermal expansion in ReO3

The thermal expansion of polycrystalline ${\mathrm{ReO}}_{3}$ is studied in vacuum by x-ray diffraction from 300 to 600 K and by extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) at the Re ${L}_{3}$ edge from 30 to 600 K. A detailed EXAFS analysis is presented up to the sixth coordination shell around Re. The crystal thermal expansion is weak throughout the explored range, negative below 100 K, positive from 150 to 500 K, and negative again above 500 K. The analysis of mean square relative displacements obtained by EXAFS and of mean square displacements available from x-ray and neutron diffraction measurements confirms the presence of significant static disorder in the investigated samples. …