JUMP-LIKE DEFORMATION OF SINGLE-CRYSTALS OF SN-CD ALLOYS AT TEMPERATURES LESS-THAN-OR-SIMILAR-TO-1 K

The low-temperature jump-like deformation of Sn-Cd single crystals is studied systematically for various concentrations. The effect of tempe rature (in the range 0.5-4.2 K), Cd concentration (in the interval 0.0 1-0.53 at.%), strain, and superconducting transition on manifestations of jump-like deformation is analyzed. The obtained results are consid ered in the light of modern concepts about the nature of low-temperatu re instability. The observed basic regularities in macroscopic jump-li ke deformation contradict the hypothesis of thermomechanical instabili ty. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.