Charge Density Wave and Superconducting Properties in Single Crystals of Lu5Ir4Si10

We measured the electrical resistivity from 2K up to 900K on high quality single crystals of Lu5Ir4Si10. A clear thermal hysteresis was found at the onset of the Charge Density Wave (CDW), evidencing the first order nature of the transition. When tantalum is included in the compound, the CDW is destroyed and the superconducting critical temperature is enhanced. Finally, we present specific heat and magnetic penetration depth in the Meissner state. We show that the superconducting properties are very close to a weak coupling BCS superconductor.