Magnetic CeTe_(2)achieving superconductivity under external pressure has received considerable attention.The intermingling of 4f and 5d electrons from Ce raised the speculation of an unconventional pairing mechanism a...Magnetic CeTe_(2)achieving superconductivity under external pressure has received considerable attention.The intermingling of 4f and 5d electrons from Ce raised the speculation of an unconventional pairing mechanism arising from magnetic fluctuations.Here,we address this speculation using a nonmagnetic 4f-electron-free LaTe_(2)as an example.No structural phase transition can be observed up to 35 GPa in the in situ synchrotron diffraction patterns.Subsequent high-pressure electrical measurements show that LaTe_(2)exhibits superconductivity at20 Gpa with its T_(c)(4.5 K)being two times higher than its Ce-counterpart.Detailed theoretical calculations reveal that charge transfer from the 4p orbitals of the planar square Te-Te network to the 5d orbitals of La is responsible for the emergence of superconductivity in LaTe_(2),as confirmed by Hall experiments.Furthermore,we study the modulation of q_(CDW)by Sb substitution and find a record high T_(c)^(onset)~6.5 K in LaTe_(1.6)Sb_(0.4).Our work provides an informative clue to comprehend the role of 5d-4p hybridization in the relationship between charge density wave(CDW)and superconductivity in these RETe_(2)(RE=rare-earth elements)compounds.展开更多
基金financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant Nos.2018YFE0202600,2021YFA1401800,2017YFA0304700)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.51922105,11804184,11974208,11774424,12174443,U1932217,and11974246)+1 种基金Beijing Natural Science Foundation(Grant No.Z200005)supported by the Synergetic Extreme Condition User Facility(SECUF)。
文摘Magnetic CeTe_(2)achieving superconductivity under external pressure has received considerable attention.The intermingling of 4f and 5d electrons from Ce raised the speculation of an unconventional pairing mechanism arising from magnetic fluctuations.Here,we address this speculation using a nonmagnetic 4f-electron-free LaTe_(2)as an example.No structural phase transition can be observed up to 35 GPa in the in situ synchrotron diffraction patterns.Subsequent high-pressure electrical measurements show that LaTe_(2)exhibits superconductivity at20 Gpa with its T_(c)(4.5 K)being two times higher than its Ce-counterpart.Detailed theoretical calculations reveal that charge transfer from the 4p orbitals of the planar square Te-Te network to the 5d orbitals of La is responsible for the emergence of superconductivity in LaTe_(2),as confirmed by Hall experiments.Furthermore,we study the modulation of q_(CDW)by Sb substitution and find a record high T_(c)^(onset)~6.5 K in LaTe_(1.6)Sb_(0.4).Our work provides an informative clue to comprehend the role of 5d-4p hybridization in the relationship between charge density wave(CDW)and superconductivity in these RETe_(2)(RE=rare-earth elements)compounds.
