Quantum phase competition driven by interstitial electrons in compressed Li-Ir electrides
Phys. Rev. B 114, 094111 – Published 18 August, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/69ks-93cw
Abstract
Electron-electron correlations and electron-phonon coupling underlie a wide spectrum of quantum phenomena. Electrides are materials in which excess electrons localize in interstitial regions as non-nuclear attractors (NNAs), providing a unique platform to probe their interplay. In this study, using crystal structure prediction and first-principles calculations, we identify two lithium-rich electrides, and . With respect to , pressure drives a remarkable evolution of ground states: a Stoner-type ferromagnet at 200 GPa is transformed into a stripe antiferromagnetic (sAFM) type above 252.8 GPa, which is ultimately transformed into a nonmagnetic metal at 450 GPa. The sAFM order results in a spin density wave that stems from the intrinsic instability of flat, NNA-derived bands under strong Coulomb repulsion, rather than Fermi surface nesting. The stability of this phase is improved by long-range electrostatic energy gains from charge redistribution. Notably, the metastable zigzag antiferromagnetic phase exhibits magnetoelastic coupling, inducing a symmetry-lowering structural distortion to the Pmmn space group. In nonmagnetic states, both and are predicted to host phonon-mediated superconductivity. While spin-orbit coupling has a minimal effect on the electronic structure of magnetic phases, it significantly modulates lattice dynamics and electron-phonon coupling by redistributing charge to the NNAs, thereby stabilizing superconductivity and suppressing dynamic instabilities. Our work demonstrates that lithium-rich Ir-based electrides constitute a tunable quantum material platform in which interstitial electrons govern unconventional magnetism, spin-lattice entanglement, and high-temperature superconductivity.