Crystal growth and characterization of Fe${}_{1+\hat{I}´}$Se${}_{1-x}$Te${}_x$ (0.5 $\le$ $x$ $\le$ 1) from LiCl/KCl flux

Abstract

An eutectic LiCl/KCl flux method in a horizontal configuration has been used to grow a series of homogeneous Fe${}_{1+\hat{I}´}$Se${}_{1-x}$Te${}_x$ single crystals of high quality with 0.5 $\le$ $x$ $\le$ 1. Compared with previously used melt-growth method, the stable crystallization process in LiCl/KCl flux below their peritectic temperatures results in better homogeneity and crystalline perfection identified by energy dispersive spectrometer and x-ray diffraction. The interstitial Fe value $\hat{I}´$ remains small within 0.5 $\le$ $x$ $\le$ 0.85 where the superconducting temperature $T_C$ is not sensitive to the Te content with sharp superconducting transition widths $\hat{I}”$$T_C$ < 1 K and a maximum of $T_C$ = 14.3 K at $x$ = 0.61. The value $\hat{I}´$ starts to increase quickly accompanied by a deviation of linear behavior of crystal lattice parameters as well as the broadening of $\hat{I}”$$T_C$ = 2.1 K at $x$ = 0.91, then suddenly rises up to $\hat{I}´$ > 0.1 followed by the disappearance of superconductivity and emergence of antiferromagnetic order at x $\ge$ 0.96. We also observed a metallic to semiconducting transition in the normal state resistivity of Fe${}_{1+\hat{I}´}$Se${}_{1-x}$Te${}_x$ with increasing Te content which is related to a localized electronic state induced by the interstitial Fe. The interstitial Fe value $\hat{I}´$ might be a key physical parameter to understand various properties of Fe${}_{1+\hat{I}´}$Se${}_{1-x}$Te${}_x$ system.