Superconductivity of structurally disordered Y5Ir6Sn18

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 Fm3m, a = 13.7706(1) angstrom], 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.

Automated summary

The structural and physical properties of Y5Ir6Sn18 grown from Sn-flux were studied. It was found that Y5Ir6Sn18 has a unique crystal structure with strong disorder and complex intergrowth of different structural arrangements. Additionally, it is a type-II superconductor with a critical temperature of 2.1 K and weak electron-phonon coupling.