Abstract
We have developed a microscopic theory which describes the orientational dynamics of molecules in the face-centered-cubic phase of fullerite. The molecular interaction potential and the crystal-field potential are formulated in terms of symmetry-adapted rotator functions. The phase transition to the Pα3¯ structure is driven by an active multipolar of symmetry belonging to the l=10 manifold. The Birman criterion is satisfied. The transition is found to be of first order.
- Received 26 December 1991
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.68.2929
©1992 American Physical Society