First Order Preemptive Ising-nematic Transition in K$_{5}$Fe$_{4}$Ag$_{6}$Te$_{10}$
Abstract
Employing inelastic X-ray scattering and neutron scattering techniques, we observed nematic and magnetic phase transitions with distinct characters in K$_{5}$Fe$_{4}$Ag$_{6}$Te$_{10}$. Upon cooling, the nematic order undergoes a strongly first-order phase transition followed by a second-order magnetic transition at $T_{\textrm{N}}$ $\approx$ 34.6 K. The temperature difference between these two phase transitions is $\sim$ 1 K. The observed phenomenon can be attributed to a distinctive first-order preemptive Ising-nematic transition, a characteristic unique to a quasi-two-dimensional scenario marked by strong out-of-plane spatial anisotropy due to weak coupling. Our studies establish K$_{5}$Fe$_{4}$Ag$_{6}$Te$_{10}$ as the first material in the family of iron pnictides and chalcogenides that possesses a nematic tricritical point preceding the magnetic one upon decreasing nematic coupling.
- Publication:
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arXiv e-prints
- Pub Date:
- July 2024
- DOI:
- 10.48550/arXiv.2407.14706
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2407.14706
- Bibcode:
- 2024arXiv240714706G
- Keywords:
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- Condensed Matter - Strongly Correlated Electrons
- E-Print:
- 7 pages, 5 figures