PRESSURE TEMPERATURE PHASE-DIAGRAM OF SOLID AND LIQUID TE UNDER PRESSURES UP TO 10 GPA

The P-T phase diagram of Te has been investigated by means of thermobaro-analysis (TBA) and electrical resistance measurements. For crystalline Te the boundary of the transition Te(III)-Te(IV) has been found and the location of triple point Te(III)-L'-Te(IV) has been established (P = 7.6 +/- 0.3 GPa; T = 835 +/- 15 K). The melting curve of Te was investigated up to 10 GPa. In the Te melt the transition L-L' has been found from the-TBA signal and by jumps in the electrical resistance. The triple point L-Te(III)-L' has been found to be located at P = 4.7 +/- 0.3 GPa and T = 800 +/- 15 K. At pressures lower than P = 1.6 +/- 0.4 GPa and temperatures higher than T = 1120 +/- 30 K the TBA anomalies and the jumps in resistance become smooth and unmeasurable. The model of a phase transition in a liquid is presented based on the existence of crystal-like clusters in the melt.