Phonon dispersion curves by inelastic neutron scattering to 12 Gpa

Abstract

Abstract Recent progress in high pressure techniques allows the measurements of phonon dispersion curves to ~12 GPa by inelastic neutron scattering on triple axis spec-trometers. Provided the structure is not too complex, a vari-ety of low-compressibility solids may be studied over the entire stability range of their ambient pressure forms. This article reviews results obtained during the last five years on the lattice dynamics of a number of “simple” systems (Ge, GaSb, PbTe, FeO, Zn, Fe) where the pressure-induced frequency shifts of the acoustic branches have been studied in considerable detail. In several of these solids pronounced “mode softening” is found under pressure. Grüneisen parameters and elastic constants have been determined and the results were compared to predictions of first-principle calculations.