Crystal structure and lattice dynamic effects of rare-earth hexaborides under hydrostatic pressure

The different dynamical properties (phonon frequencies, elastic constants a nd Debye-Waller factors) of samarium hexaboride have been jointly treated w ith lattice dynamics modeling. An important influence of internal tensions on the dynamics of hexaborides has been established. The structural phase t ransition under hydrostatic pressure has been predicted based on our modeli ng. The first results of neutron diffraction studies of SmB6 under pressure s of up to 7 GPa are presented. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.