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    Piezochromism, amorphization, and polyamorphic superconductivity in one-dimensional van der Waals InSeI under high pressure

    Ruijing Liang1, Min Zhang1,*, Chao An1, Ying Zhou1, Yonghui Zhou2, Shuyang Wang2, Zengming Zhang3,4,†, and Zhaorong Yang1,2,5,‡

    • *Contact author: mzhang@ahu.edu.cn
    • †Contact author: zzm@ustc.edu.cn
    • ‡Contact author: zryang@issp.ac.cn

    Phys. Rev. B 113, 224114 – Published 22 June, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/w7g7-cytp

    Abstract

    Chalcohalides compounds represent a promising class of optoelectronic materials. Among them, QSeI (Q=In, Ga, Al) stands out due to its one-dimensional van der Waals structure and helical chain configuration. In this study, we investigate the pressure-tunable optical and electronic properties of InSeI. Optical absorption measurements reveal a rapid narrowing of the band gap at a rate of −0.1 eV/GPa, followed by a sharp collapse of 0.4 eV above 4.1 GPa. Meanwhile, the sample exhibits a striking color change from yellow to black, indicative of pronounced piezochromic behavior. Electrical transport measurements uncover an insulator-to-metal transition at 37.8 GPa, followed by the emergence of superconductivity with a critical temperature (Tc) of ∼5.8K. Synchrotron x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy reveal that pressure-induced amorphization occurs at relatively low pressures, involving primarily intrachain disorder, which accounts for the abrupt band-gap reduction and coloration change. Upon further compression, the tubular framework collapses, and long-range disorder gives rise to a possible polyamorphic transformation, leading to metallization and superconductivity. The tunable tubular-chain structure and associated polyamorphism make InSeI a promising platform for optoelectronic application, such as optical switches, broadband absorbers, and pressure-sensitive photonic devices, and provide a fertile ground for exploring polyamorphic superconductivity in low-dimensional chalcohalide systems.

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