Novel Phase of Solid Oxygen Induced by Ultrahigh Magnetic Fields

Magnetization measurements and magnetotransmission spectroscopy of the solid oxygen alpha phase were performed in ultrahigh magnetic fields of up to 193 T. An abrupt increase in magnetization with large hysteresis was observed when pulsed magnetic fields greater than 120 T were applied. Moreover, the transmission of light significantly increased in the visible range. These experimental findings indicate that a first-order phase transition occurs in solid oxygen in ultrahigh magnetic fields, and that it is not just a magnetic transition. Considering the molecular rearrangement mechanism found in the O-2-O-2 dimer system, we conclude that the observed field-induced transition is caused by the antiferromagnetic phase collapsing and a change in the crystal structure.