Electronic topological transition in zinc metal? A Zn-67-Mossbauer investigation

The question concerning the existence of an electronic topological transiti on (ETT) in Zn metal under quasi-hydrostatic pressure at similar to6.6 GPa caused a considerable controversy in the literature. We briefly review low- temperature Zn-67-Mossbauer data and scalar-relativistic augmented plane wa ve calculations and give a consistent interpretation in terms of an ETT. To highlight some important aspects of the controversy two theoretical and tw o experimental publications will be discussed in more detail. At present th e existence of an ETT in Zn metal is disputed both from an experimental and from a theoretical point of view. The suggestion of a transition to a comm ensurate spin-density wave at similar to6.6 GPa instead of an ETT may recon cile the seemingly contradictory results of Zn-67-Mossbauer experiments at 4.2 K and of room temperature inelastic neutron scattering measurements. Ho wever, it does not explain the anomalies found in theoretical calculations performed for Zn metal in this pressure range. Considerable experimental an d theoretical efforts are required to confirm - or rule out - a spin-densit y-wave transition.