Monoclinic EuSn$_2$As$_2$: A Novel High-Pressure Network Structure

TL;DR

This study discovers a new monoclinic high-pressure phase of EuSn$_2$As$_2$ with a 3D network structure, revealing insulator-metal-superconductor transitions and superconductivity up to 30.8 GPa, expanding knowledge of magnetic topological insulators.

Contribution

It reports the identification of a novel high-pressure monoclinic structure of EuSn$_2$As$_2$ with unique electronic properties, combining experimental and computational methods.

Findings

New monoclinic EuSn$_2$As$_2$ structure identified above 14 GPa.

Observation of insulator-metal-superconductor transition around 5-15 GPa.

Superconductivity with T$_C$ of ~4 K observed up to 30.8 GPa.

Abstract

The layered crystal of EuSn$_2$As$_2$ has a Bi$_2$Te$_3$-type structure in rhombohedral ($R\bar{3}m$) symmetry and has been confirmed to be an intrinsic magnetic topological insulator at ambient conditions. Combining {\it ab initio} calculations and \emph{in-situ} x-ray diffraction measurements, we identify a new monoclinic EuSn$_2$As$_2$ structure in $C2/m$ symmetry above $\sim$14 GPa. It has a three-dimensional network made up of honeycomb-like Sn sheets and zigzag As chains, transformed from the layered EuSn$_2$As$_2$ via a two-stage reconstruction mechanism with the connecting of Sn-Sn and As-As atoms successively between the buckled SnAs layers. Its dynamic structural stability has been verified by phonon mode analysis. Electrical resistance measurements reveal an insulator-metal-superconductor transition at low temperature around 5 and 15 GPa, respectively, according to the structural conversion, and the superconductivity with a \textit{T}${\rm {_C}}$ value of $\sim 4$ K is observed up to 30.8 GPa. These results establish a high-pressure EuSn$_2$As$_2$ phase with intriguing structural and electronic properties and expand our understandings about the layered magnetic topological insulators.