Dependence on pressure of the elastic parameters and microhardness of InSb

The effect of hydrostatic compression on elastic constants and related properties in InSb have been investigated using a pseudopotential approach. At zero pressure, our results are found to compare reasonably well with experiment. A monotonous pressure dependence of all features of interest has been observed. The mechanical stability criteria has been checked in terms of elastic constants and pressure. Upon compression, InSb is found to become more resistant to the deflection or deformation. An increase of micro hardness of the material in question has been seen when pressure is applied suggesting thus that InSb under pressure is a useful material in the fabrication of devices. The behavior of the Kleinman internal parameter with pressure indicates that InSb exhibits strong resistance to changes in its bond length.