We have performed nb initio pseudopotential calculations to investigat
e the pressure-induced phase transitions in GaAs in the light of the r
ecent experimental observation of a stable cinnabar structure. We find
that a cinnabar structure is metastable with respect to other candida
te structures, although extremely close to stability for pressures in
the region of 16 GPa. This is in good agreement with experiment, where
it has been observed to coexist with the zinc-blende and Cmcm phases
in this pressure regime. It had been suggested that the cinnabar struc
ture is the only known semiconducting high-pressure phase in a III-V c
ompound. We perform band-structure calculations on this high-pressure
structure and confirm that the material is semiconducting.