Spin transition and metallization triggered by pressure-induced structural evolution in the magnetic insulator <math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><msub><mi>FeBr</mi><mn>2</mn></msub></math>

Zhipeng Yan; Youchun Wang; Zhongyan Wu; Zhenhai Yu; Nana Li; Xin Li; Jinbo Zhang; Zhiwei Shen; Xiaodong Li; Ke Yang; Xiaoli Wang; Yongjun Tian; Ho-Kwang Mao; Lin Wang

doi:10.1103/hdp6-k48y

Spin transition and metallization triggered by pressure-induced structural evolution in the magnetic insulator ${FeBr}_{2}$

Zhipeng Yan^1,2,3,*, Youchun Wang^4,*, Zhongyan Wu ^2,*, Zhenhai Yu ⁵, Nana Li³, Xin Li³, Jinbo Zhang⁶, Zhiwei Shen², Xiaodong Li⁷ et al.

Ke Yang⁸, Xiaoli Wang^9,†, Yongjun Tian², Ho-Kwang Mao³, and Lin Wang^2,‡

¹School of Mathematics and Physics, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China
²Center for High Pressure Science (CHiPS), State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066004, China
³Center for High Pressure Science and Technology Advanced Research (HPSTAR), Shanghai 201203, China
⁴School of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi, Shandong 276005, China
⁵School of Physical Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China
⁶College of Physical Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225002, China
⁷Institute of High Energy Physics Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
⁸Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF), Shanghai 201800, China
⁹School of Physics and Electronic Information, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China

^*These authors contributed equally to this work.
^†Contact author: xlwang@ytu.edu.cn
^‡Contact author: linwang@ysu.edu.cn

PDF

Phys. Rev. B 113, 134101 – Published 1 April, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/hdp6-k48y

Abstract

We report a pressure-induced high- to low-spin transition in the magnetic insulator ${FeBr}_{2}$ at around 31.7 GPa using X-ray emission spectroscopy. The underlying mechanism is interpreted through a combination of structural and electrical transport measurements, together with density functional theory calculations. The magnetic moments are found to decrease under high pressure due to the strengthened crystal field during the structural evolution from the trigonal $(P \bar{3} m 1)$ to the monoclinic $(C 2 / m)$ phase, which causes the electrons to preferentially occupy the lower-energy $t_{2 g}$ orbitals and pair up to form a low-spin state. Furthermore, metallization is observed upon further compression above 50 GPa, accompanied by another structural transition to a hexagonal $(P 6_{3} m c)$ phase. The discovery of a spin transition in the two-dimensional magnetic insulator ${FeBr}_{2}$ opens avenues for exploring magnetism by leveraging the unique aspects of van der Waals engineering to induce novel magnetic phenomena.

Physical Review B

Export citation

Export citation

Spin transition and metallization triggered by pressure-induced structural evolution in the magnetic insulator ${FeBr}_{2}$

Abstract

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Authorization Required

Other Options

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

References (Subscription Required)

Outline

Information

Filter

Filter

Article Lookup

Enter a citation

Spin transition and metallization triggered by pressure-induced structural evolution in the magnetic insulator FeBr2

Abstract

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Authorization Required

Log in via your institution

Log in via APS Member Subscription

Other Options

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

References (Subscription Required)

Spin transition and metallization triggered by pressure-induced structural evolution in the magnetic insulator ${FeBr}_{2}$