Competition between the structural phase transition and superconductivity in Ir$_{1-x}$Pt$_x$Te$_2$ as revealed by pressure effects

Abstract

Pressure-dependent transport measurements of Ir$_{1-x}$Pt$_x$Te$_2$ are reported. With increasing pressure, the structural phase transition at high temperatures is enhanced while its superconducting transition at low temperatures is suppressed. These pressure effects make Ir$_{1-x}$Pt$_x$Te$_2$ distinct from other studied $T$X$_2$ systems exhibiting a charge density wave (CDW) state, in which pressure usually suppresses the CDW state and enhances the superconducting state. The results reveal that the emergence of superconductivity competes with the stabilization of the low temperature monoclinic phase in Ir$_{1-x}$Pt$_x$Te$_2$.