High-pressure and high-temperature studies on fluorite-type Pb1−xNdxF2+x (x = 0.15 and 0.25)

In this communication, we report the effect of pressure, as well as simultaneous pressure and temperature on two representative compositions of the fluorite-type PbF2–NdF3 solid solutions. The high-pressure and high-temperature experiments are carried out on a belt apparatus and multi-anvil cell. The samples retrieved after the application of pressure, or pressure and temperature are analyzed by powder XRD. Fluorite-type PbF2 (β) on application of pressure transforms irreversibly to the meta-stable low-temerature orthorhombic (α) phase, as also reported in literature. The fluorite-type lattice in Pb0.85Nd0.15F2.15 and Pb0.75Nd0.25F2.25 solid solutions under pressure are found to be exceptionally stable. The details of the experimental observations are explained in this manuscript.