A simplified method for calculating the debye temperature from elastic constants

The Reuss-Voigt approximations are well known methods whereby the isotropic polycrystalline elastic constants can be calculated from the single crystal elastic constants. It is shown here that the Reuss and the Voigt approximations can be used to estimate, accurately, the mean sound velocity of a crystal. Using this method, the Debye Temperature, which is proportioned to the mean sound velocity, can be determined without recourse to the published tables or high speed computers. This approximation is valid for all crystal classes.