Abstract
Alkali cyanide mixed crystals of appropriate composition show a quadrupolar glass low-temperature state. Because of a coupling of the CN-quadrupole moments to the shear distortion of the crystal lattice, the relevant quadrupolar susceptibility is accessible through measurements of the shear compliance s 44. Measurements have been performed with a torque-shear setup in various modes of operation. Results on several series of mixed cyanides are reviewed.