Metastable semimetallic solid atomic phase of nitrogen

A new solid atomic phase of nitrogen, which is dynamically stable at pressures above $20$ GPa, has been predicted within the density functional theory. This phase has a low symmetry of the crystal lattice $P\bar {1}$ and exhibits electronic properties unique for nitrogen crystal structures in the low-pressure region, which are characteristic of semimetals. The structural, energy, mechanical, and electronic properties of this phase are calculated and compared with similar characteristics of the gauche phase of nitrogen.