Does the phase transition exist in the one-component plasma model?

Explanations are given for why there is no real first-order phase transition in the one-component plasma (OCP) model. The fluid (liquid) and crystalline states of the OCP observed in computer experiments are not in equilibrium, on account of instability of the system. However, specific features of the free energy suggest that some sort of a “virtual” phase transition occurs in the model. Such a transition can be turned real by choosing the right form of the background energy. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 67, No. 1, 82–85 (10 January 1997) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Edited by Steve Torstveit.     

On the tricritical point in MnSi under high pressures

The magnetic susceptibility of a MnSi single crystal is measured in the region of the ferromagnetic phase transition under pressures up to 0.8 GPa in compressed helium. It is found that the tricritical point on the phase-transition curve corresponds to a much lower pressure and a considerably higher temperature (P _tr ≈ 0.355 GPa and T _tr ≈ 25.2 K) than was reported earlier (P _tr ≈ 1.2 GPa and T _tr ≈ 12 K). New results impose certain limitations on theoretical analysis of tricritical phenomena in MnSi.     

Notes on the freezing of simple substances

Experimental data on the freezing of argon and the helium isotopes at high pressures are analyzed. It is found that attractive forces in argon can be adequately described by the van der Waals mean field theory. An analogous approximation may also be applicable to helium, but this cannot be established conclusively because of quantum effects. However, an analysis of experimental results on the freezing of helium intuitively suggests that the solid-phase stability region is enlarged by quantum effects.     

Elastic properties of FeSi

Measurements of the sound velocities in a single crystal of FeSi were performed in the temperature range 4–300 K. Elastic constants C ₁₁ and C ₄₄ deviate from a quasiharmonic behavior at high temperature; on the other hand, elastic constants C ₁₂ increases anomalously in the entire temperature range, indicating a change in the electron structure of this material.     

Lost heat capacity and entropy in the helical magnet MnSi

The heat capacity of MnSi at B = 0 and B = 4 T was measured in the temperature range 2.5-100 K. To analyze the data, calculations of the phonon spectrum and phonon density of states in MnSi were performed. The calculated phonon frequencies were confirmed by means of inelastic neutron scattering. The analysis of the data suggests the existence of negative contributions to the heat capacity and entropy of MnSi at T > T(c) that may imply a specific ordering in the spin subsystem in the paramagnetic phase of MnSi.     

Volume dependence of the raman frequencies in Y Ba2Cu3Ox single crystals with different oxygen content

Abstract

The Raman spectra of Y B _a2C_u3O_x, single crystals (x=6.25; 6.75; 7.0) were measured at pressures up to 22 GPa (35 GPa for x=6.25) at room temperature in nearly hydrostatic conditions. The frequency-volume curves for most of the Raman-active fundamental vibrations were derived from the present data making use of a previous high-pressure study of the equations of state of Y Ba₂ Cu ₃ O _x compounds.     

Spin Fluctuations and Negative Heat Capacity (Brief Review)

JETP Letters - The problem of negative heat capacity, discussed in a number of theoretical and experimental works dealing with weak itinerant magnets, is studied. A detailed analysis of the heat...