New cubic phase of lithium nitride to 200 GPa

We present a new cubic ({gamma}) Li{sub 3}N phase discovered above 40({+-}5) GPa. Structure and electronic bands are examined at high pressure with synchrotron x-ray diffraction and inelastic x-ray scattering in a diamond anvil cell, and also with first-principles calculations. We observe a dramatic band-gap widening and volume collapse at the phase transition. {gamma}-Li{sub 3}N remains extremely stable and ionic to 200 GPa, with predicted metallization near 8 TPa. The high structural stability, wide band-gap and simple electronic structure of {gamma}-Li{sub 3}N are analogous to that of such lower valence closed-shell solids as NaCl, MgO and Ne, meriting its use as a low-Z internal pressure standard