The elastic constants of V2O3 in the insulating phase

The initial slopes of the acoustic phonon dispersion curves in (V_0.98Cr_0.02)₂O₃ have been measured at room temperature in several of the high symmetry directions by inelastic neutron scattering. From these data several sound velocities and four independent elastic constants have been determined. Although the Cr doped specimen is in the insulating phase and pure V₂O₃ is metallic, these results are in good agreement with recent data (1) obtained by ultrasonic measurements on pure V₂O₃.