Two Distinct Charge Density Wave Orders and Emergent Superconductivity in Pressurized CuTe

TL;DR

This study reveals how pressurizing CuTe induces two distinct charge density wave orders and emergent superconductivity, highlighting complex interactions between CDWs and superconductivity in low-dimensional materials.

Contribution

It provides experimental and theoretical evidence for two separate CDW phases and their relationship with superconductivity under pressure in CuTe.

Findings

Pristine CDW (CDW1) transforms into a new CDW (CDW2) at ~6.5 GPa.

Superconductivity emerges with a dome-like phase diagram under pressure.

Transition from CDW1 to CDW2 broadens superconducting transition.

Abstract

The discovery of multiple charge-density-wave (CDW) orders in superconducting cuprates and Kagome CsV3Sb5 has offered a unique milieu for studying the interplay of CDW and superconductivity and altered our perspective on their nature. Here, we report a high-pressure study of quasi-one-dimensional CDW material CuTe through ultralow-temperature (400 mK) electrical transport and temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy measurements and first-principles calculations. We provide solid evidence that the pristine CDW order (CDW1) transforms into a distinct CDW order (CDW2) at ~6.5 GPa. Calculations show that the driving force of CDW1 is due to the nesting effect and that of CDW2 probably arises from the electronic correlated interaction. Strikingly, pressure-induced superconductivity is observed with a dome-like phase diagram and its transition displays an extraordinary broadening along with the crossover from CDW1 to CDW2. These results demonstrate that pressurized CuTe provides a promising playground for understanding the intricated interplay of multiple CDWs and superconductivity.