  We present a tight-binding calculation that, for the first time, accurately
describes the structural, vibrational and elastic properties of amorphous
silicon. We compute the interatomic force constants and find an unphysical
feature of the Stillinger-Weber empirical potential that correlates with a much
noted error in the radial distribution function associated with that potential.
We also find that the intrinsic first peak of the radial distribution function
is asymmetric, contrary to usual assumptions made in the analysis of
diffraction data. We use our results for the normal mode frequencies and
polarization vectors to obtain the zero-point broadening effect on the radial
distribution function, enabling us to directly compare theory and a high
resolution x-ray diffraction experiment.
