Volume-expansion-induced lattice instability and solid-state amorphization

Structural changes of elemental and binary thin-film layered crystals are investigated under coercive volume expansion using molecular-dynamics simulations. The results show that, although the crystalline lattice itself is stable against large volume expansion, it can be easily changed into a disordered structure when small anisotropic forces are locally applied. This type of lattice instability may be responsible for triggering the so-called solid-state amorphization. 1996 The American Physical Society.