AN ENERGY-DISPERSIVE X-RAY-DIFFRACTION STUDY OF MONOCLINIC EU2O3 UNDER PRESSURE

The phase behavior of monoclinic (B-type) Eu2O3 under pressure in a di amond anvil cell was studied at room temperature by energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source. The b ulk modulus (B0) of B-type Eu2O3, derived from the compression curve o btained, was 140 GPa. A pressure-induced phase transition from the mon oclinic to the hexagonal (A-type) crystal structure was observed at ab out 4.7 GPa. The fractional volume change, DELTAV/V, under this transi tion pressure was approximately -2%. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.