X-ray-induced disordering of the dimerization pattern and apparent low-temperature enhancement of lattice symmetry in spinel CuIr${}_2$S${}_4$

Abstract

At low temperatures, spinel CuIr${}_2$S${}_4$ is a charge-ordered spin-dimerized insulator with triclinic lattice symmetry. We find that x-rays induce a structural transition in which the local triclinic structure is preserved, but the average lattice symmetry becomes tetragonal. These structural changes are accompanied by a thousandfold reduction in the electrical resistivity. The transition is persistent, but the original state can be restored by thermal annealing. We argue that x-ray irradiation disorders the lattice dimerization pattern, producing a state in which the orientation of the dimers is preserved, but the translational long-range order is destroyed.

5 pages, 4 embedded figures

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