Pressure-cycling induced transition behaviors of MnBi2Te4.

MnBi₂Te₄ can generate a variety of exotic topological quantum states, which are closely related to its special structure. We conduct comprehensive multiple-cycle high-pressure research on MnBi₂Te₄ by using a diamond anvil cell to study its phase transition behaviors under high pressure. As observed, when the pressure does not exceed 15 GPa, the material undergoes an irreversible metal–semiconductor–metal transition, whereas when the pressure exceeds 17 GPa, the layered structure is damaged and becomes irreversibly amorphous due to the lattice distortion caused by compression, but it is not completely amorphous, which presents some nano-sized grains after decompression. Our investigation vividly reveals the phase transition behaviors of MnBi₂Te₄ under high pressure cycling and paves the experimental way to find topological phases under high pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]