Kinetics and systematics of structural phase transitions in the regular lanthanide metals under pressure

Abstract

Techniques and results of studies on the kinetics and hysteresis of the structural phase transitions in lanthanides under pressures up to 58 GPa and temperatures between 200 K and 520 K are presented. The transformation rates show the same time dependence as for diffusion controlled transitions, however, other interpretations of this time dependence are also possible. Estimates of the 0 K equilibrium transition pressures are derived from the pressure and temperature dependence of the activation free energies A, G. A comparison of critical radius ratios, R_ux/R_5p for all the regular lanthanides at the various phase transitions shows simple systematics in the high pressure behaviour of the lanthanides.