Superconductivity without spin crossover in pressurized
Phys. Rev. B 114, 084512 – Published 27 August, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/ywwr-jkz3
Abstract
The appearance of superconductivity in and its absence in has been linked to pressure-driven magnetic quenching from a high-spin to low-spin state, which fills the orbital with Fe electrons. However, the exact mechanisms responsible for emergent superconductivity remain ambiguous due to the coexistence of intra/interlayer collapse and the persistence of residual local magnetic moments. To address this, we study , where has a fully filled configuration. Under pressure, shows an isostructural transition without sudden lattice contractions, confirming the absence of spin-crossover effects. It transitions from a semiconductor to a metal at 35 GPa, followed by the onset of superconductivity at 3.4 K. Further increase in pressure leads to elevated up to 7.2 K, which exceeds the value achieved in pressurized due to the lack of local magnetization in the Zn compound. Therefore, serves as a representative system among the ( = metal, = S/Se) family of materials, enabling separation of effects related to magnetism and superconductivity. Our findings demonstrate that spin crossover does not constitute a prerequisite for superconductivity within materials.