Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-24-2017

Abstract

Transition-metal dichalcogenide IrTe2 has attracted attention because of its striped lattice, charge ordering, and superconductivity. We have investigated the surface structure of IrTe2, using low-energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy. A complex striped lattice modulation as a function of temperature is observed, which shows hysteresis between cooling and warming. While the bulk 5 × 1 and 8 × 1 phases appear at high temperatures, the surface ground state has the 6 × 1 phase, not seen in the bulk, and the surface transition temperatures are distinct from the bulk. The broken symmetry at the surface creates a quite different phase diagram, with the coexistence of several periodicities resembling devil's staircase behavior.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Physical Review B

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