A High Pressure Distorted a-Uranium (Pnma) Structure in Plutonium
arXiv:cond-mat/0409066 · doi:10.1016/j.ssc.2004.10.022
Abstract
Under pressure many rare earths and actinide metals transform to a-U structure or its lower symmetry distorted forms. We have reinterpreted the diffraction data of Dabos et al for Pu (reference 4) and find that a Am IV type distorted a-U structure in Pnma space group can explain this for its high pressure phase. The structures of this phase and a-Pu are both shown to have a distorted hcp topology. The upturn in the atomic volume of Pu at 0.1 MPa can also be rationalized on the basis of this proposal
arXiv comment10pages,3 figures