Effect of pressure on the magnetic phase transition in alpha '-NaV2O5

The effect of pressure (P < 1 GPa) on the magnetic transition temperature o f alpha'-NaV2O5 has been studied by Raman scattering and magnetic susceptib ility measurements. The transition temperature (T-C approximate to 34 K at zero pressure) was found to decrease with increasing pressure at an average rate of similar to -10(1)K/GPa. We discuss our results in relation to a re cent high-pressure X-ray crystal structure investigation of alpha'-NaV2O5. The increase of interlayer interactions with pressure appears to play an es sential role in the suppression of the transition. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.