Superconductivity in ternary pyrite-type compound IrBi$_{1-x}$Te$_{1+x}$ ($x \approx 0.2$) at ambient and high pressure

TL;DR

This study reports the discovery of superconductivity in the ternary compound IrBi$_{0.8}$Te$_{1.2}$, with a critical temperature that can be enhanced by applying pressure, reaching up to 2.6 K at 26.5 GPa.

Contribution

First demonstration of superconductivity in IrBi$_{0.8}$Te$_{1.2}$ and analysis of pressure effects on its electronic and lattice properties.

Findings

Superconductivity at 1.7 K in IrBi$_{0.8}$Te$_{1.2}$.

Superconducting transition temperature increases under pressure, peaking at 2.6 K.

Pressure induces a dome-shaped dependence of $T_c$ on pressure.

Abstract

We report superconductivity in the ternary compound IrBi$_{0.8}$Te$_{1.2}$ with critical temperature 1.7 K. The replacement of Bi by Te leads to the metallic conductivity in contrast to the semiconducting parent compound IrBiTe. The superconductivity can be further enhanced by application of external pressure. $T_c$ demonstrates dome-shaped dependence on pressure with a maximum value of 2.6 K at 26.5 GPa. Pressure effects on electronic properties and lattice dynamic of IrBi$_{0.8}$Te$_{1.2}$ were studied by pressure dependent electrical resistivity, Hall effect and Raman spectroscopy measurements.