Semiconductor-metal transition in FeSi in ultrahigh magnetic fields up to 450 T

The magnetic susceptibility and conductivity of single-crystal iron monosilicide are investigated in ultrahigh magnetic fields up to 450 T at a temperature of 77 K. It is found that the conductivity of iron monosilicide increases continuously by two orders of magnitude as the magnetic field increases. The results obtained can be interpreted as a semiconductor-metal transition induced by the magnetic field. The dependence of the conductivity on the magnetic field is described well on the basis of the spin-fluctuation theory.