Abstract:
We argue that an ionic lattice surrounded by a Fermi liquid changes phase several times under pressure, oscillating between the symmetric phase and a low-symmetry dimerized structure, as a consequence of Friedel oscillations in the pair potential. Phase oscillations explain the tendency towards dimerization which has been recently reported for the light alkali metals under high pressure. Moreover, a restoring of the symmetric phase is predicted for such elements at an even higher density.
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Received 17 January 2003 Published online 11 April 2003
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Angilella, G., Siringo, F. & Pucci, R. Symmetry breaking and restoring under high pressure: the amazing behaviour of the “simple” alkali metals. Eur. Phys. J. B 32, 323–327 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2003-00105-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2003-00105-8