Charge-Stripe Order and Superconductivity in Ir_1-xPt_xTe₂

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Materials Science
• Solid State Chemistry

Background:

• Superconductivity and charge ordering are competing phenomena in some materials.
• Iridium ditelluride (IrTe2) exhibits charge ordering and superconductivity, which can be tuned by doping and pressure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interplay between charge ordering and superconductivity in Ir$_{1-x}$Pt$_x$Te$_2$.
• To understand the role of Pt substitution and hydrostatic pressure on these phenomena.
• To elucidate the mechanism triggering charge ordering.

Main Methods:

• Combined resistivity and hard X-ray diffraction measurements.
• Systematic variation of Platinum (Pt) substitution (x).
• Application of externally applied hydrostatic pressure.

Main Results:

• Charge ordering in Ir$_{0.95}$Pt$_{0.05}$Te$_2$ is preempted and triggered by a structural transition under pressure.
• Charge ordering exhibits uniaxiality along the (1, 0, 1) domain axis with a (1/5, 0, 1/5) modulation.
• A charge-order phase diagram was constructed, illustrating the relationship between stripe ordering and superconductivity.

Conclusions:

• The study reveals a pressure-induced structural transition that triggers charge ordering in Ir$_{1-x}$Pt$_x$Te$_2$.
• The findings provide insights into the competitive relationship between charge order and superconductivity.
• The constructed phase diagram aids in understanding the complex phase behavior of this material system.