An equation of state for alkali metals

Semi-empirical equations of state based on Lindemann's law have been developed to determine the pressure (P) dependence of the melting temperature (Tm) of Li, K, Rb and Cs. The basic inputs are Grüneisen parameter and the bulk modulus. Tm-P variations exhibit maximum melting temperature with concave downwards. The maximum in Tm for Cs is found to occur at pressure of 2.2 GPa whereas for Li, K and Rb it falls in the range of 7-9.5 GPa. The predicted values of Tm as a function of pressure, based on the present empirical relation, fit quite well with the available experimental data. The empirical relation can also be used to extrapolate Tm at higher pressure from the values available at lower pressures.