Negative bulk modulus and possibility of loss of elastic stability near tricritical transitions in thin films on substrates

Abstract

Within the Landau-like approach we study anomalies of elastic moduli at phase transitions in thin films on substrates. We consider the case where, similar to many experimental cases, the first-order transition in free crystal would convert into a second order in the film if the system remained homogeneous. It is shown, however, that apart from its questionable thermodynamic advantages, the homogeneous state of low-symmetry phase may become absolutely unstable which is signaled by changing of sign of its bulk modulus.