Pressure-temperature phase diagram of solid and liquid Te under pressures up to 10 GPa

Abstract

The P-T phase diagram of Te has been investigated by means of thermobaroanalysis (TBA) and electrical resistance measurements. For crystalline Te the boundary of the transition TeIII-TeIV has been found and the location of triple point TeIII-L'-TeIV has been established (P=7.6+or-0.3 GPa; T=835+or-15 K). The melting curve of Te was investigated up to 10 GPa. In the Te melt the transition L-L' has been found from the TBA signal and by jumps in the electrical resistance. The triple point L-TeIII-L' has been found to be located at P=4.7+or-0.3 GPa and T=800+or-15 K. At pressures lower than P=1.6+or-0.4 GPa and temperatures higher than T=1120+or-30 K the TBA anomalies and the jumps in resistance become smooth and unmeasurable. The model of a phase transition in a liquid is presented based on the existence of crystal-like clusters in the melt.