Superconductivity in Ca10(Ir4As8)(Fe2As2)5 with Square-Planar Coordination of Iridium.

We report the unprecedented square-planar coordination of iridium in the iron iridium arsenide Ca(10)(Ir(4)As(8))(Fe(2)As(2))5. This material experiences superconductivity at 16 K. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles band calculation suggest Ir(II) oxidation state, which yields electrically conductive Ir(4)As(8) layers. Such metallic spacer layers are thought to enhance the interlayer coupling of Fe(2)As(2), in which superconductivity emerges, thus offering a way to control the superconducting transition temperature.