Commensurate vs incommensurate charge ordering near the superconducting dome in Ir$_{1-x}$Pt$_x$Te$_2$ revealed by resonant x-ray scattering

TL;DR

This study investigates charge ordering phenomena in Ir$_{1-x}$Pt$_x$Te$_2$ using resonant x-ray scattering, revealing coexistence of charge density waves and superconductivity, with implications for understanding their interplay.

Contribution

It provides detailed insights into the coexistence and nature of charge density waves and superconductivity in Ir$_{1-x}$Pt$_x$Te$_2$, highlighting the role of Te 5$p$ states and incommensurability.

Findings

Charge-density-wave superstructures are observed at various wave vectors.

Superstructures persist beyond previous assumptions of doping levels.

Te 5$p$ states are crucial in spatial modulation formation.

Abstract

The electronic-structural modulations of Ir$_{1-x}$Pt$_x$Te$_2$ (0 $\leqq x\leqq$ 0.12) have been examined by resonant elastic x-ray scattering (REXS) and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) techniques at both the Ir and Te edges. Charge-density-wave-like superstructure with wave vectors of $\mathbf{Q}$=(1/5 0 $-$1/5), (1/8 0 $-$1/8), and (1/6 0 $-$1/6) are observed on the same sample of IrTe$_2$ at the lowest temperature, the patterns of which are controlled by the cooling speeds. In contrast, superstructures around $\mathbf{Q}$=(1/5 0 $-$1/5) are observed for doped samples (0.02 $\leqq x\leqq$ 0.05). The superstructure reflections persist to higher Pt substitution than previously assumed, demonstrating that a charge density wave (CDW) can coexists with superconductivity. The analysis of the energy-dependent REXS and RIXS lineshape reveals the importance of the Te 5$p$ state rather than the Ir 5$d$ states in the formation of the spatial modulation of these systems. The phase diagram re-examined in this work suggests that the CDW incommensurability may correlate the emergence of superconducting states as-like Cu$_x$TiSe$_2$ and Li$_x$TaS$_2$.