Names | |
---|---|
Other names
Ytterbium Gallium Germanium
| |
Identifiers | |
Structure [1] | |
MoC2 structure type | |
P63/mmc (No. 194) | |
a = 420.56 pm, c = 1678.1 pm
| |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their
standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
|
YbGaGe is an alloy of ytterbium, gallium and germanium. It sparked interest because one group of researchers reported that it exhibits zero thermal expansion, while being conductive. [1] Such materials have applications in space and other environments where low thermal expansion materials are required. [2] However, subsequent measurements by other groups were not able to reproduce those results, but rather found expansion coefficients similar to copper. [3]
Nevertheless, YbGaGe does show anomalous thermal expansion. Near-zero thermal expansion was observed by Booth et al. It was found that near-zero thermal expansion (NZTE) in YbGaGe is sensitive to stoichiometry and defect concentration. However, the NZTE mechanism remains elusive [4]