Evolution of two-step structural phase transition in Fe1+dTe detected by low-temperature x-ray diffraction

The low-temperature crystal structure of Fe1.13Te, which exhibits an anomalous two-step magnetic transition, was clarified by the systematic x-ray diffraction measurements. It was found that two-step structural phase transition, tetragonal–orthorhombic–monoclinic, occurred correspondingly to the two-step magnetic transition. The detailed analysis of the profile at 5 K indicated the coexistence of the minor orthorhombic area inside the major, monoclinic lattice, which could explain the lower-shift (suppression) of the antiferromagnetic transition temperature in Fe1.13Te and suggest a possibility of superconductivity at the domain boundary.

► We systematically carried out low-temperature x-ray diffraction for Fe1+dTe. ► A two-step structural phase transition, tetra.–ortho.–monocli., was observed. ► Our results suggest the existence of two magnetic/structural regions.