Pressure Induced Phase Transition, Elastic and Thermal Properties of Rare Earth Tellurides

The high pressure phase transition, elastic and thermal properties of rare earth tellurides (RETe; RE = La, Ce, Pr, Sm and Eu) have been investigated by using a suitable inter-ionic potential with modified ionic charge (Z(m)e) to include Coulomb screening effect. This model is capable of explaining first order phase from B-1 to B-2 structure at high pressure and elastic properties for RETe. The values of lattice constant, phase transition pressure and Bulk modulus agree well with their corresponding experimental data. The calculated values of second order elastic constants (C-11, C-44) and their variation with pressure are also presented for these compounds. We have also reported the Debye temperature (theta(D)) and its variation with pressure.