The atomic environment of Cu atoms in LiCu$_{2}$O$_{2}$ is similar to that of high-T$_{c}$ superconductors. Thus, it is interesting to study the magnetic properties of this compound. A LiCu$_{2}$O_{2}$ crystal was grown in L.V.Kirenskii Institute of Physics in order to investigate its magnetic properties in detail. A powder diffraction pattern of LiCu$_{2}$O$_{2}$ was measured with a Bragg Brentano diffractometer using step scanning mode and CuK$_{\alpha}$ radiation. Sample preparation method allowed reduction of the preferred-orientation effect. The lattice constants of the orthorhombic cell are a = 5.725Å, b = 12.409 Å, c = 2.857Å, in agreement with recently reported unit cell [1]. As the atomic environments of Cu and Li atoms in the unit cell are similar, possible partial substitution of Cu atoms by Li atoms cannot be fully excluded. Further investigation is needed to confirm the chemical composition of the crystal and to explain some differences in peak intensities in relation to previously reported data.
1. R.Berger, P.Onnerud and R.Tellgren, J.Alloys Compounds 184 (1992) 315-322