Measurements of CsI band-gap closure to 93 GPa

Abstract

Infrared-absorption measurements to a peak pressure of 93 GPa document the pressure-induced closure of the band gap of CsI to about 4450 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{-}1}$ (0.55 eV). In accord with previous spectroscopic measurements to 60 GPa, our data show that the band gap of CsI decreases continuously with pressure, and metallization (complete closure of the gap) is expected to occur above 100 GPa. A recent claim that CsI becomes metallic at 65±5 GPa is therefore spurious.