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    Quantum phase competition driven by interstitial electrons in compressed Li-Ir electrides

    Zhiyao Guan1, Tong Zhou1, Tian Cui2, and Da Li1,*

    • 1State Key Laboratory of High Pressure and Superhard Materials and Key Laboratory of Material Simulation Methods and Software of Ministry of Education, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, People's Republic of China
    • 2School of Physical Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, People's Republic of China

    • *Contact author: dali@jlu.edu.cn

    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, I4/mmm−Li4Ir and R3¯m−Li8Ir. With respect to Li4Ir, 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 Li4Ir and Li8Ir 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.

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