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Updated: May 11, 2026
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Published on: March 24, 2019
Interplay between superconductivity and magnetism in Fe(1-x)Pd(x)Te.
Amar B Karki1, V Ovidiu Garlea, Radu Custelcean
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
Summary
Superconductivity coexists with ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism in Fe(1-x)Pd(x)Te. This material offers a unique platform to study the complex interplay between superconductivity and magnetic ordering.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Materials science
- Quantum magnetism
Background:
- The relationship between superconductivity and magnetic ordering is a long-standing puzzle in physics.
- While magnetic impurities often suppress superconductivity, some materials exhibit coexistence with antiferromagnetism (AFM) or ferromagnetism (FM).
- Previous studies focused on superconductivity near the border of AFM or coexistence with either FM or AFM, but not both simultaneously.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a novel material system exhibiting coexistence of superconductivity with both ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions.
- To explore the interplay between superconductivity and competing magnetic orders in the Fe(1-x)Pd(x)Te system.
- To provide an ideal platform for studying the complex relationship between superconductivity and dual magnetic interactions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic doping of Palladium (Pd) into Fe(1-x)Pd(x)Te.
- Magnetic susceptibility measurements to identify magnetic ordering temperatures and correlations.
- Characterization of superconducting properties in relation to magnetic phase transitions.
Main Results:
- Pd doping suppresses long-range antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering in Fe(1-x)Pd(x)Te, leading to short-range AFM correlations.
- Superconductivity emerges as the AFM ordering temperature approaches zero.
- A significant ferromagnetic (FM) phase is observed within the superconducting-AFM crossover regime, forming a 'ferromagnetic dome'.
Conclusions:
- Fe(1-x)Pd(x)Te presents a unique phase diagram where superconductivity coexists with both FM and short-range AFM correlations.
- This material provides an unprecedented opportunity to study the intricate interplay between superconductivity and competing magnetic orders.
- The findings challenge previous notions about the incompatibility of superconductivity with FM ordering and open new avenues for research.
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