Superconductivity of structurally disordered Y5Ir6Sn18

Abstract

The structural and physical properties of Y₅Ir₆Sn₁₈ grown from Sn-flux as large single crystals are studied. Y₅Ir₆Sn₁₈ crystallizes with a unique structure [space group Fmm, a = 13.7706(1) Å], which is characterized by a strong disorder. A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study indicated that the structural model of Y₅Ir₆Sn₁₈ obtained from X-ray diffraction methods is an average description of a complex intergrowth of domains with different structural arrangements. The studied stannide is a type-II superconductor with a critical temperature T_c = 2.1 K, a rather weak electron–phonon coupling and conventional s-wave BCS-like mechanisms. Performed theoretical electronic band structure calculations indicated the inconsistency of an idealized structural model earlier reported for Y₅Ir₆Sn₁₈.