Pressure induced high-spin to low-spin transition in FeS evidenced by x-ray emission spectroscopy

Abstract

We report the observation of the pressure-induced high-spin to low-spin transition in FeS using new high-pressure synchrotron x-ray emission spectroscopy techniques. The transition is evidenced by the disappearance of the low-energy satellite in the Fe K$β$ emission spectrum of FeS. Moreover, the phase transition is reversible and closely related to the structural phase transition from a manganese phosphide-like phase to a monoclinic phase. The study opens new opportunities for investigating the electronic properties of materials under pressure.

ReVTeX, 4 pages, 3 figures inserted with epsfig. minor modifications before submission to PRL