Interplay between multiple charge-density waves and the relationship with superconductivity in Pd$_x$HoTe$_{3}$

TL;DR

This study investigates how Pd intercalation suppresses charge-density waves and induces superconductivity in HoTe3, revealing the evolution of electronic structures and the competition between CDW and SC phases.

Contribution

It provides detailed insights into the evolution of multiple charge-density waves and their interplay with superconductivity in Pd-intercalated HoTe3 using ARPES and resistivity measurements.

Findings

Pd intercalation suppresses CDWs and induces superconductivity.

Evolution of CDW gaps and electronic structure with Pd content.

Competition between CDW orders and emergence of SC.

Abstract

HoTe$_{3}$, a member of the rare-earth tritelluride ($R$Te$_{3}$) family, and its Pd-intercalated compounds, Pd$_x$HoTe$_{3}$, where superconductivity (SC) sets in as the charge-density wave (CDW) transition is suppressed by the intercalation of a small amount of Pd, are investigated using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and electrical resistivity. Two incommensurate CDWs with perpendicular nesting vectors are observed in HoTe$_{3}$ at low temperatures. With a slight Pd intercalation ($x$ = 0.01), the large CDW gap decreases and the small one increases. The momentum dependence of the gaps along the inner Fermi surface (FS) evolves from orthorhombicity to near tetragonality, manifesting the competition between two CDW orders. At $x$ = 0.02, both CDW gaps decreases with the emergence of SC. Further increasing the content of Pd for $x$ = 0.04 will completely suppress the CDW instabilities and give rise to the maximal SC order. The evolution of the electronic structures and electron-phonon couplings (EPCs) of the multiple CDWs upon Pd intercalation are carefully scrutinized. We discuss the interplay between multiple CDW orders, and the competition between CDW and SC in detail.