On thermoelastic phenomena around orientational ordering transition in crystalline C60

Abstract

Thermoelastic phenomena associated with orientational phase transition in solid C60 are considered. Coupling of the order parameter with elastic strain is analyzed in the Landau theory of phase transitions. Wide range of possible coexistence of the FCC phase with SC one in C60 has been found from 260 K down to critical temperature 160 K of the instability of high-symmetry phase. The specific heat, thermal expansion coefficient and isothermal compressibility for low-symmetry phase are calculated as function of temperature and pressure in an agreement with reported data. Applicability of the Landau theory to ordering transition in fullerenes is discussed.