Effect of phonon anharmonicity on the thermal and elastic properties of stabilized δ-plutonium

Abstract

The Debye temperature, bulk modulus, density, and molar heat capacity of a Pu_0.95Al_0.05 alloy have been calculated as functions of the temperature using a self-consistent thermodynamic model developed according to a quasi-classical approach that takes into account the effect of phonon anharmonicity on the acoustic and thermodynamic properties of metals. The results of self-consistent numerical simulation of the thermal and elastic properties are compared to the available experimental data and theoretical results obtained using alternative approaches. It is established that the phonon anharmonicity plays a significant role in the formation of elastic and thermal properties of the system under consideration.