ACOUSTIC-EMISSION DURING METAL-INSULATOR PHASE-TRANSITION IN V2O3

Acoustic emission experiments have been performed on V2O3 undergoing t he metal-antiferromagnetic insulator transition near 150 K. The releas e of stress in the transition generates acoustic pulses which change o n repeated thermal cycling. The observations are consistent with forma tion of nuclei of the insulating phase in the metallic matrix approxim ately 5 to 6 degrees above the transition. The observed rise and sprea d of the transition temperature on thermal cycling indicates the impor tance of thermoelastic martensitic effects in the course of the transi tion. (C) 1997 Academic Press.