Incommensurate structural correlations in the disordered spin-dimer state induced by X-ray and electron irradiation in CuIr2S4

Irradiation with similar to 10 keV x rays or medium-energy electrons destroys long-range order of Ir spin dimers in CuIr2S4 while preserving the dimers locally. We find that as the order is destroyed, a new type of incommensurate structural correlations appears. This represents an intriguing example of order from disorder phenomenon, in which a previously unknown incommensurate order appears in the radiation-induced disordered state. These results suggest that two competing instabilities, one of which can be suppressed by radiation, are present in the system. Otherwise unrealized structural or electronic states can, therefore, be revealed in correlated systems by x-ray or electron irradiation.