Pressure-induced structural phase transitions in UIr

Abstract

Strain and resistivity measurements in UIr showed the occurrence of two structural phase transitions under high pressure, indicating the existence of three phases I--III, with slightly different crystal structures. It is suggested that ferromagnetic phases FM1--FM3 emerge in phases I--III, respectively. The pressure-temperature phase diagram was sensitive to the hydrostaticity of pressure. FM3 and superconductivity are observed in the measurements in which Daphne 7373 is used as a pressure-transmitting medium; however they are both absent in the case where petroleum ether is used as a pressure-transmitting medium. These results indicate a close relationship between ferromagnetism and superconductivity.