Pressure-Induced Trapping Phenomenon in Silver Iodide

Abstract
Observations of the optical properties and electrical conductivity of silver iodide at pressures between 2 and 4 kilobars are indicative of the formation of free silver (or silver and iodine) in this pressure range. On the basis of the sequence of events and the volume relations, this reaction could account for the smooth and reversible phase transformations of silver iodide in this pressure range. The phenomenon may be due to the trapping of an electron by the silver ion (in a thermally excited state) as a result of the distortion of the lattice under pressure.