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New high-pressure phases of lithium
M Hanfland1, K Syassen, N E Christensen
1European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France.
Nature
|November 23, 2000
Summary
Under high pressure, lithium (Li) transforms into a novel 16-atom cubic phase. This structural change, confirmed by X-ray diffraction, reveals unique electronic properties for this simple metal.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- High-Pressure Physics
Background:
- Lithium (Li) is typically considered a simple metal due to minimal electron-lattice interactions.
- Theoretical predictions suggested dense Li might exhibit complex structural transitions under pressure, potentially becoming near-insulating.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the structural behavior of lithium (Li) under high pressure.
- To confirm theoretical predictions regarding pressure-induced phase transitions in Li.
- To characterize the electronic properties of newly discovered high-pressure phases of Li.
Main Methods:
- Synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements were employed to probe structural changes.
- High-pressure conditions were applied to the lithium (Li) sample.
- Total-energy calculations were performed to support experimental findings.
Main Results:
- Lithium (Li) undergoes significant structural transformations above 39 GPa.
- A novel cubic phase with 16 atoms per unit cell was identified, previously unobserved in any element.
- This cubic phase exhibits a semimetal-like electronic density of states near the Fermi energy.
Conclusions:
- Experimental evidence confirms pressure-induced structural transitions in lithium (Li).
- The newly discovered 16-atom cubic phase of lithium (Li) possesses unique electronic characteristics.
- Theoretical calculations support the observed phase transition sequence and the stability of the novel cubic phase.
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