Calcium with the β-tin structure at high pressure and low temperature

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Oct 9;109(41):16459-62. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1214754109. Epub 2012 Sep 25.

Abstract

Using synchrotron high-pressure X-ray diffraction at cryogenic temperatures, we have established the phase diagram for calcium up to 110 GPa and 5-300 K. We discovered the long-sought for theoretically predicted β-tin structured calcium with I4(1)/amd symmetry at 35 GPa in a s mall low-temperature range below 10 K, thus resolving the enigma of absence of this lowest enthalpy phase. The stability and relations among various distorted simple-cubic phases in the Ca-III region have also been examined and clarified over a wide range of high pressures and low temperatures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / chemistry*
  • Models, Chemical
  • Models, Molecular
  • Phase Transition*
  • Pressure
  • Temperature
  • Tin / chemistry*
  • X-Ray Diffraction / methods

Substances

  • Tin
  • Calcium