On the crystal structure of the nitrides of silicon and germanium

Abstract

The X-ray powder diffraction patterns of the two phases, a and fl, of each of the nitrides Si3N 4 and Ge3N4 have been separated and indexed. The structure of the fl phase is confirmed to be of the phenacite (B%SiO4) type. A structure for the a phase is proposed which is related to that of the # phase.