Uniaxial strain effect on TV and electrical resistivity in magnetite (Fe3O4)

Magnetization and electrical resistivity studies are reported for a single crystal of magnetite under uniaxial strain applied along the [110] and [100] directions. The metal-insulator transition temperature, T-V, shifted to higher temperatures with increasing uniaxial compression which is opposite to the result obtained under hydrostatic pressure. Furthermore, the electrical resistivity was found to increase at temperatures below T-V, and to decrease at temperatures above T-V, with increasing uniaxial compression. Differences between the present results and those under hydrostatic pressure are discussed.