Possible quantum fluctuations in the vicinity of the quantum critical point of (Sr,Ca)3Ir4Sn13 revealed by high-energy x-ray diffraction
Abstract
We explore the evolution of the structural phase transition of ${(\mathrm{Sr},\mathrm{Ca})}_{3}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{4}{\mathrm{Sn}}_{13}$, a model system to study the interplay between structural quantum criticality and superconductivity, by means of high-energy x-ray diffraction measurements at high pressures and low temperatures. Our results confirm a rapid suppression of the superlattice transition temperature ${T}^{*}$ against pressure, which extrapolates to zero at a critical pressure of $\ensuremath{\approx}1.79(4)\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$. The temperature evolution of the superlattice Bragg peak in ${\mathrm{Ca}}_{3}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{4}{\mathrm{Sn}}_{13}$ reveals a drastic decrease of the intensity and an increase of the linewidth when $T\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ and $p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{p}_{c}$. Such anomaly is likely associated with the emergence of quantum fluctuations that disrupt the formation of long-range superlattice modulation. The revisited temperature-pressure phase diagram of ${(\mathrm{Sr},\mathrm{Ca})}_{3}{\mathrm{Ir}}_{4}{\mathrm{Sn}}_{13}$ thus highlights the intertwined nature of the distinct order parameters present in this system and demonstrates some similarities between this family and the unconventional superconductors.
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