Higher order elastic constants and generalized Gruneisen parameters of elastic waves and low temperature thermal expansion of gadolinium

Expressions for the higher order elastic constants are derived using the sublattice displacements to the second degree in strains. These expressions are used to obtain the higher order elastic constants and their pressure derivatives in gadolinium. The higher order elastic constants are used to find out the generalized Gruneisen parameters of the elastic waves propagating in different directions in gadolinium. The Brugger gammas are evaluated and the low temperature limit of the Gruneisen gamma is obtained. The results are compared with the available reported values.