# Infrared spectroscopy study of the nodal-line semimetal candidate ZrSiTe under pressure: Hints for pressure-induced phase transitions

## TL;DR

This study investigates how applying pressure alters the optical properties of ZrSiTe, revealing significant electronic structure changes and indicating two possible phase transitions at specific pressures.

## Contribution

First detailed optical spectroscopy analysis of ZrSiTe under pressure, identifying pressure-induced electronic and potential structural phase transitions.

## Key findings

- Strong changes in reflectivity and optical conductivity at 4.1 GPa and 6.5 GPa
- Evidence of pressure-induced shifts in electronic band structure
- Detection of anomalies suggesting phase transitions

## Abstract

We studied the effect of external pressure on the optical response of the nodal-line semimetal candidate ZrSiTe by reflectivity measurements. At pressures of a few GPa, the reflectivity, optical conductivity, and loss function are strongly affected in the whole measured frequency range (200-16500 cm$^{-1}$), indicating drastic changes in the electronic band structure. The pressure-induced shift of the electronic bands affects both the intraband and interband transitions. We find anomalies in the pressure dependence of several optical parameters at the pressures $P_{c1}$$\approx$4.1 GPa and $P_{c2}$$\approx$6.5 GPa, suggesting the occurrence of two phase transitions of either structural or electronic type.