paper

Superconductivity and Charge-density-wave-like Transition in Th2Cu4As5

arXiv:2311.13308

Abstract

We report the synthesis, crystal structure, and physical properties of a novel ternary compound, Th $_{2}$ Cu $_{4}$ As $_{5}$ . The material crystallizes in a tetragonal structure with lattice parameters $a = 4.0716 (1)$ Ã and $c = 24.8131 (4)$ Ã . Its structure can be described as an alternating stacking of fluorite-type Th $_{2}$ As $_{2}$ layers with antifluorite-type double-layered Cu $_{4}$ As $_{3}$ slabs. The measurement of electrical resistivity, magnetic susceptibility and specific heat reveals that Th $_{2}$ Cu $_{4}$ As $_{5}$ undergoes bulk superconducting transition at 4.2 K. Moreover, all these physical quantities exhibit anomalies at 48 K, where the Hall coefficient change the sign. These findings suggest a charge-density-wave-like (CDW) transition, making Th $_{2}$ Cu $_{4}$ As $_{5}$ a rare example for studying the interplay between CDW and superconductivity.

11 pages, 6 figures, and 1 table