ANALYSIS OF THE DEBYE TEMPERATURE FOR A(N)B(8-N) TYPE IONIC AND PARTIALLY COVALENT CRYSTALS

A simple method for calculating the Debye temperature for 64 binary cr ystals of A(N)B8-N type with NaCl, CsCl, and ZnS structures is develop ed. First the short-range force constants are calculated by establishi ng an empirical relationship between isothermal bulk modulus and latti ce parameter. These force constants are then used to estimate the valu es of Debye temperatures. The results are compared with the correspond ing values reported in literature. The importance of the present calcu lations has been emphasized in view of recently discovered high-temper ature superconductors.