arXiv subjects

Frédéric Datchi

Publications and source records attributed to Frédéric Datchi.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Observation of hexagonal close-packed water ice at conditions in ice giant planetary interiors

Using synchrotron x-ray diffraction in laser-heated diamond anvil cells, we report the observation of an hexagonal close-packed (hcp) phase of water ice at high pressure and temperature conditions. Above 200 GPa and 1800 K, the hcp phase becomes dominant upon entering the superionic regime, as evidenced by anomalous thermal expansion. Observations are consistent with the hcp phase becoming thermodynamically more stable than the face-centered cubic (fcc) phase via a martensitic transition extending across the 130 - 200 GPa pressure range, within the superionic regime. Hcp ice is also observed to emerge from stacking disorder developing within the fcc oxygen lattice upon cooling, during its reversion to the bcc phase. The presence of an fcc-hcp martensitic transition in the superionic regime of warm dense ice may have implications for planetary models of Uranus and Neptune.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Pressure-Temperature Phase Diagram and $λ$-Transition in Liquid Sulfur

Using molecular dynamics simulations driven by a machine-learned interatomic potential, we investigate at low to intermediate pressures the $λ$-transition of sulfur, a temperature-induced polymerization. At ambient pressure, we capture the melting of crystalline cyclo-octasulfur into a liquid of molecular rings. Within this liquid, the concentration of non-S$_8$ rings increases with temperature; we show that these molecules act as reactive centers, which eventually trigger polymerization. We reproduce key experimental signatures of the $λ$-transition, including the sharp increase in heat capacity and the pronounced dependence of the transition temperature on the heating rate. Building on this, we reconstruct a phase diagram of polymerization up to intermediate pressures. Our results reveal a moderate decrease of the polymerization temperature with pressure, culminating with its merging with the melting line at a critical point. Beyond this point, we provide direct evidence of polymerization emerging from the crystalline phase. By analyzing temperature-ramp trajectories, we observe the formation of non-S$_8$ rings, open chains, and extended polymeric structures which retain features of the crystalline arrangement; further heating the system leads to disorder taking over through melting. Polymerization is therefore initiated slightly before melting. Altogether, our findings provide a microscopic picture of the $λ$-transition throughout the sulfur phase diagram.

physics.chem-ph↗

arXiv2023

Melting curve of black phosphorus: evidence for a solid-liquid-liquid triple point

Black phosphorus (bP) is a crystalline material that can be seen as ordered stackings of two-dimensional layers, which lead to outstanding anisotropic physical properties. The knowledge of its pressure-temperature (P-T) phase diagram, and in particular, the slope and location of its melting curve is fundamental for better understanding the synthesis and stability conditions of this important material. Despite several experimental studies, important uncertainties remain in the determination of this melting curve. Here we report accurate melting points measurements, using in situ high-temperature and high-pressure high-resolution synchrotron x-ray diffraction. In particular, we have employed an original and accurate pressure and temperature metrology based on the unique anisotropic P-T response of bP, that we used as sensor for the simultaneous determination of pressure and temperature up to 5 GPa and 1700 K. We confirmed the existence of and located a solid-liquid-liquid triple point at the intersection of the low- and high-pressure melting curves. Finally, we have characterized the irreversibility of the transformation in the low-pressure regime below 1 GPa, as the low-density liquid does not crystallize back to bP but into red phosphorus on temperature quenching.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

Anisotropic thermo-mechanical response of layered hexagonal boron nitride and black phosphorus: application as a simultaneous pressure and temperature sensor

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and black phosphorus (bP) are crystalline materials that can be seen as ordered stackings of two-dimensional layers, which lead to outstanding anisotropic physical properties. The knowledge of the thermal equations of state of hBN and bP is of great interest in the field of 2D materials for a better understanding of the anisotropic thermo-mechanical properties and exfoliation mechanism of these materials. Despite several theoretical and experimental studies, important uncertainties remain in the determination of the thermoelastic parameters of hBN and bP. Here, we report accurate thermal expansion and compressibility measurements along the individual crystallographic axes, using in situ high-temperature and high-pressure high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction. In particular, we have quantitatively determined the subtle variations of the in-plane thermo-mechanical parameters by subjecting these materials to hydrostatic pressure conditions and collecting a large number of data points in small pressure and temperature increments. Based on the anisotropic behavior of bP, we propose the use of this material as sensor for the simultaneous determination of pressure and temperature in the range 0-5 GPa, 298-1700 K.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2008

High pressure-high temperature phase diagram of ammonia

The high pressure(P)-high temperature(T) phase diagram of solid ammonia has been investigated using diamond anvil cell and resistive heating techniques. The III-IV transition line has been determined up to 20 GPa and 500 K both on compression and decompression paths. No discontinuity is observed at the expected location for the III-IV-V triple point. The melting line has been determined by visual observations of the fluid-solid equilibrium up to 9 GPa and 900 K. The experimental data is well fitted by a Simon-Glatzel equation in the covered P-T range. These transition lines and their extrapolations are compared with reported calculations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2007

Equation of state of cubic boron nitride at high pressures and temperatures

We report accurate measurements of the equation of state (EOS) of cubic boron nitride by x-ray diffraction up to 160 GPa at 295 K and 80 GPa in the range 500-900 K. Experiments were performed on single-crystals embedded in a quasi-hydrostatic pressure medium (helium or neon). Comparison between the present EOS data at 295 K and literature allows us to critically review the recent calibrations of the ruby standard. The full P-V-T data set can be represented by a Mie-Grüneisen model, which enables us to extract all relevant thermodynamic parameters: bulk modulus and its first pressure-derivative, thermal expansion coefficient, thermal Grüneisen parameter and its volume dependence. This equation of state is used to determine the isothermal Grüneisen mode parameter of the Raman TO band. A new formulation of the pressure scale based on this Raman mode, using physically-constrained parameters, is deduced.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2006

New insights on the high-pressure phase diagram of molecular CO2

We report the discovery of a new molecular phase of carbon dioxide at high-pressure and high-temperature. Using x-ray diffraction, we identify this phase as the theoretically predicted high-temperature Cmca phase [Bonev et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 91, 065501 (2003)]. Its relation with phase III, on one hand, and its relative stability with respect to phase IV, on the other hand, are discussed based on spectroscopic and melting data. The existence of this strictly molecular phase challenges the interpretation of phases IV and II as intermediate phases between the molecular and covalent-bonded forms of CO2.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2006

Melting curve and fluid equation of state of carbon dioxide at high pressure and high temperature

The melting curve and fluid equation of state of carbon dioxide have been determined under high pressure in a resistively-heated diamond anvil cell. The melting line was determined from room temperature up to $11.1\pm0.1$ GPa and $800\pm5$ K by visual observation of the solid-fluid equilibrium and in-situ measurements of pressure and temperature. Raman spectroscopy was used to identify the solid phase in equilibrium with the melt, showing that solid I is the stable phase along the melting curve in the probed range. Interferometric and Brillouin scattering experiments were conducted to determine the refractive index and sound velocity of the fluid phase. A dispersion of the sound velocity between ultrasonic and Brillouin frequencies is evidenced and could be reproduced by postulating the presence of a thermal relaxation process. The Brillouin sound velocities were then transformed to thermodynamic values in order to calculate the equation of state of fluid CO$\_2$. An analytic formulation of the density with respect to pressure and temperature is proposed, suitable in the $P-T$ range 0.1-8 GPa and 300-700 K and accurate within 2%. Our results show that the fluid above 500 K is less compressible than predicted from various phenomenological models.

cond-mat.other↗