Elastic constants of GaN between 10 and 305 K

Using the antenna-transmission resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, we measured the elastic constants of GaN between 10 and 305 K using 72 resonance frequencies. The mode Gruneisen parameter is determined from temperature dependence of each elastic constant, which is larger along the c axis than along the a axis, showing anisotropy in lattice anharmonicity. The zero-temperature elastic constants, determined using the Einstein-oscillator model, yield the Debye characteristic temperature of 636 K. The ab-initio calculation is carried out for deducing the elastic constants, and comparison between calculations and measurements at 0 K reveals that the local-density-approximation potential is preferable for theoretically evaluating characteristics of GaN. The theoretical calculation also supports the anisotropy in lattice anharmonicity.