We have investigated the electronic structure and the Fermi surface of SnOusing density functional theory (DFT) calculations within recently proposedexchange-correlation potential (PBE+mBJ) at ambient conditions and highpressures up to 19.3 GPa where superconductivity was observed. It was foundthat the Sn valence states 5s, 5p, and 5d are strongly hybridized with the O2p-states, and that our DFT-calculations are in good agreement with O K-edgeX-ray spectroscopy measurements for both occupied and empty states. It wasdemonstrated that the metallic states appearing under pressure in thesemiconducting gap stem due to the transformation of the weakly hybridized O2p-Sn 5sp subband corresponding to the lowest valence state of Sn in SnO. Wediscuss the nature of the electronic states involved in chemical bonding andformation of the hole and electron pockets with nesting as a possible way tosuperconductivity.
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