Superconductivity in In₂Te₃ under Compression Induced by Electronic and Structural Phase Transitions

Abstract

Indium telluride (In2Te3) is a typical layered material among III–IV families that are extremely sensitive to pressure and strain. Here, we use a combination of high-pressure electric transport, Raman, XRD, and first-principles calculations to study the electronic properties and structural evolution characteristics of In2Te3 under high pressure. Our results reveal the evidence of isostructure electronic transitions. First-principle calculations demonstrate that the evolution of phonon modes is associated with the transition from semiconductor to metal due to the increase in the density of states near the Fermi level. The pressure-induced metalization as a precursor monitors the structural phase transition, and then the superconductivity is produced. Further, in decompression, T c slightly increased and remained at 3.0 GPa, and then the disorder is present and the superconductivity is suppressed. Our work not only perfects the superconducting phase of the In–Te system under pressure but also provides a reference for further superconducting research and applications.

Pressure-Quenched Superconductivity in Weyl Semimetal NbP Induced by Electronic Phase Transitions under Pressure

“…Two different behaviors of the line widths in the compression process observed here before and after 30 GPa suggest that the electron−phonon coupling has changed under pressure. 31 Moreover, an intensity analysis shows a similar trend (as shown in Figure 4d). There is a sudden change at ∼30 GPa, and in the decompression process, the slope tends to be gentle, indicating that the phonon modes have an irreversible change at high pressure, which is consistent with the results from electrical-transport measurements.…”

“…As shown in Figure c, the line width of the A 1 mode changes slowly before 30 GPa, after which the line width increases rapidly and then slowly decreases in the decompression process. Two different behaviors of the line widths in the compression process observed here before and after 30 GPa suggest that the electron–phonon coupling has changed under pressure . Moreover, an intensity analysis shows a similar trend (as shown in Figure d).…”

Origin of the decompression driven superconductivity enhancement in SnSe2

“…In 2 Te 3 undergoes an isostructural electronic transition under pressure, leading to the evolution of phonon modes and increasing the density of states near the Fermi level and thus the superconductivity. 16 Furthermore, in the decompression process, the high-pressure phases of In 2 Te 3 with high- T c superconductivity can be quenched to low pressures until the system returns to its non-superconducting low-pressure phase. This decompression-induced superconductivity enhancement is also observed in In 2 Se 3 , 17 which suggests that the maintenance of pressure-induced superconductivity at lower or even ambient pressure might be achievable in layered materials.…”

Pressure-induced disorder and nanosizing inhibits superconductivity in In2Te3

“…Group III 2 −VI 3 semiconductors have attracted extensive attention due to their exceptional superconducting properties under high pressures [2,22]. These materials exhibit intriguing phenomena upon decompression, showcasing their unique structural properties.…”