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 similar to 11.6 GPa is found. The space group of the high-pressure new phase is proposed as P-mca. 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(4) over bar 3m are B-0 = 75.4 GPa and B-0' = 4.3, respectively.