Raman scattering and x-ray-absorption spectroscopy in gallium nitride under high pressure

Gallium nitride was studied by Raman scattering and x-ray-absorption spectroscopy up to 60 GPa. A high-pressure structural phase transition was observed in gallium nitride at 47 GPa by means of Raman scattering and x-ray-absorption spectroscopy. We also report the direct determination of the bulk modulus ${\mathit{B}}_{0}$ of this compound (245 GPa). Gr\"uneisen parameters of the four observed phonon modes were established. The transition pressure is compared with existing calculations.