Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction Studies on the New Generation Ferromagnetic Semiconductor Li(Zn,Mn)As under High Pressure

The pressure effect on the crystalline structure of the I–II–V semiconductor Li(Zn,Mn)As ferromagnet is studied using in situ high-pressure x-ray diffraction and diamond anvil cell techniques. A phase transition starting at \sim11.6 GPa is found. The space group of the high-pressure new phase is proposed as Pmca. Fitting with the Birch–Murnaghan equation of state, the bulk modulus B_0 and its pressure derivative B'_0 of the ambient pressure structure with space group of F\bar43m are B_0=75.4 GPa and B'_0=4.3, respectively.