crystal lattice of vanadium dioxide during phase change (IMAGE)
Caption
This representation of the crystal lattice of vanadium dioxide in its steady states shows the positions of the vanadium atoms in the insulator phase (solid orange spheres) and the metallic phase (hollow red spheres). Inset: A pulse of light (photon) triggers the two-stage phase transition from insulator to metal, where the motion of the vanadium atoms in the first stage is linear, then curved in the second stage. This curved motion is evidence that another force (exerted by electrons orbiting the vanadium atoms) also plays a role in the transition.
Credit
Brookhaven National Laboratory
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