Superhard Semiconducting Optically Transparent High Pressure Phase of Boron

E. Yu. Zarechnaya, L. Dubrovinsky, N. Dubrovinskaia, Y. Filinchuk, D. Chernyshov, V. Dmitriev, N. Miyajima, A. El Goresy, H. F. Braun, S. Van Smaalen, I. Kantor, A. Kantor, V. Prakapenka, M. Hanfland, A. S. Mikhaylushkin, I. A. Abrikosov, and S. I. Simak
Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 185501 – Published 7 May 2009
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Abstract

An orthorhombic (space group Pnnm) boron phase was synthesized at pressures above 9 GPa and high temperature, and it was demonstrated to be stable at least up to 30 GPa. The structure, determined by single-crystal x-ray diffraction, consists of B12 icosahedra and B2 dumbbells. The charge density distribution obtained from experimental data and ab initio calculations suggests covalent chemical bonding in this phase. Strong covalent interatomic interactions explain the low compressibility value (bulk modulus is K300=227GPa) and high hardness of high-pressure boron (Vickers hardness HV=58GPa), after diamond the second hardest elemental material.

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  • Received 16 January 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.185501

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

E. Yu. Zarechnaya1, L. Dubrovinsky1, N. Dubrovinskaia2,3, Y. Filinchuk4, D. Chernyshov4, V. Dmitriev4, N. Miyajima1, A. El Goresy1, H. F. Braun5, S. Van Smaalen3, I. Kantor6, A. Kantor6, V. Prakapenka6, M. Hanfland7, A. S. Mikhaylushkin8, I. A. Abrikosov8, and S. I. Simak8

  • 1Bayerisches Geoinstitut, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
  • 2Mineralphysik, Institut für Geowissenschaften, Universität Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
  • 3Lehrstuhl für Kristallographie, Physikalisches Institut, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
  • 4Swiss-Norwegian Beam lines at ESRF, 38043 Gernoble, France
  • 5Experimentalphysik V, Physikalisches Institut, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
  • 6GeoSoilEnviroCARS, University of Chicago, 5640 South Ellis, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
  • 7ESRF, Boîte Postale 220, 38043 Grenoble, France
  • 8Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 33 Linköping, Sweden

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Issue

Vol. 102, Iss. 18 — 8 May 2009

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