Effect of Very High Pressure on the Optical Absorption Edge in Solid Xe and Its Implication for Metallization

Abstract

The pressure dependence of the fundamental optical absorption edges in solid Xe has been investigated up to the maximum pressure of 55 GPa by using a diamond-anvil-type high-pressure cell at room temperature, and the band-gap energies as a function of pressure have been obtained from 44 to 55 GPa. The metallic transition pressure for solid Xe is estimated to be about 200 GPa or greater from the present pressure versus band-gap energy measurements, under the assumption that the solid Xe does not undergo any structural phase transition above 55 GPa.