Electronically induced lattice instabilities in b.c.c. Zr

Electronically induced lattice instabilities in metals are discussed by means of an accurate determination of the generalized susceptibility function, χ(q), from a KKR band structure and Fermi surface determined for b.c.c. Zr. We describe how the detailed behavior of χ(q) for b.c.c. Zr may be related to the omega phase upon alloying with Nb or upon application of pressure to the b.c.c. lattice.