Influence of Spin on Electronic Transformations

Abstract

Cerium undergoes a crystalline transformation at about 120 deg K and 1 atm, in which the crystal structure remains unchanged but the lattice constant is decreased. This transformation also occurs at room temperature at about 7500 atm. The effects on the transition temperature and pressure are studied when small amounts (2 at.%) of other rare-earth metals are added to cerium as solutes. It is found that the transition temperature depression is closely related to the number of unpalred 4 pound sign electrons in the solute atoms. The effect of the solute atoms on the pressure of the transformation at room temperature is found to be dependent only on the size of the solute atoms. (T.F.H.)