High-pressure structural and vibrational properties of monazite-type BiPO4, LaPO4, CePO4, and PrPO4

[EN] Monazite-type BiPO4, LaPO4, CePO4, and PrPO4 have been studied under high pressure by ab initio simulations and Raman spectroscopy measurements in the pressure range of stability of the monazite structure. A good agreement between experimental and theoretical Raman-active mode frequencies and pressure coefficients has been found which has allowed us to discuss the nature of the Raman-active modes. Besides, calculations have provided us with information on how the crystal structure is modified by pressure. This information has allowed us to determine the equation of state and the isothermal compressibility tensor of the four studied compounds. In addition, the information obtained on th…

High-pressure phase of LaPO$_{4}$ studied by x-ray diffraction and second harmonic generation

Physical review / B 94(13), 134109 (2016). doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.94.134109

High-pressure phase ofLaPO4studied by x-ray diffraction and second harmonic generation

The pressure-induced phase transition of monazite-type ${\mathrm{LaPO}}_{4}$ at $\ensuremath{\approx}26$ GPa is studied by single-crystal x-ray diffraction and second harmonic generation (SHG) up to 31 GPa. The structure of the postmonazite phase of ${\mathrm{LaPO}}_{4}$ has been obtained and it is shown that it corresponds to a post-barite-type structure with an acentric space group $P{2}_{1}{2}_{1}{2}_{1}$. A strong increase of the SHG signal at the transition confirms that the high-pressure polymorph is noncentrosymmetric. The phase transition involves a significant discontinuous decrease of the unit-cell volume by 6%, which is mainly due to a strong contraction of the $a$ lattice parame…

ROUTES OF HIV-2 TRANSMISSION IN WESTERN EUROPE