Electron-doped Iron-based Superconductor Research Articles

Quantum phase transition inside the superconducting dome of Ba(Fe1−xCox)2As2 from diamond-based optical magnetometry

Unconventional superconductivity often emerges in close proximity to a magnetic instability. Upon suppressing the magnetic transition down to zero temperature by tuning the carrier concentration, pressure, or disorder, the superconducting transition temperature Tc acquires its maximum value. A major challenge is the elucidation of the relationship between the superconducting phase and the strong quantum fluctuations expected near a quantum phase transition (QPT) that is either second order (i.e. a quantum critical point) or weakly first order. While unusual normal state properties, such as non-Fermi liquid behavior of the resistivity, are commonly associated with strong quantum fluctuations, evidence for its presence inside the superconducting dome are much scarcer. In this paper, we use sensitive and minimally invasive optical magnetometry based on NV-centers in diamond to probe the doping evolution of the T = 0 penetration depth in the electron-doped iron-based superconductor Ba(Fe1−xCox)2As2. A non-monotonic evolution with a pronounced peak in the vicinity of the putative magnetic QPT is found. This behavior is reminiscent to that previously seen in isovalently-substituted BaFe2(As1−xPx)2 compounds, despite the notable differences between these two systems. Whereas the latter is a very clean system that displays nodal superconductivity and a single simultaneous first-order nematic–magnetic transition, the former is a charge-doped and significantly dirtier system with fully gapped superconductivity and split second-order nematic and magnetic transitions. Thus, our observation of a sharp peak in λ(x) near optimal doping, combined with the theoretical result that a QPT alone does not mandate the appearance of such peak, unveils a puzzling and seemingly universal manifestation of magnetic quantum fluctuations in iron-based superconductors and unusually robust quantum phase transition under the dome of superconductivity.

Quasiparticle interference and symmetry of superconducting order parameter in strongly electron-doped iron-based superconductors

Motivated by recent experimental reports of significant spin–orbit coupling (SOC) and a sign-changing order-parameter in the Li1−xFex(OHFe)1−yZnySe superconductor with only electron pockets present, we study the possible Cooper-pairing symmetries and their quasiparticle interference (QPI) signatures. We find that each of the resulting states—s-wave, d-wave and helical p-wave—can have a fully gapped density of states consistent with angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy experiments and, due to SOC, are a mixture of spin singlet and triplet components leading to intra- and inter-band features in the QPI signal. Analyzing predicted QPI patterns we find that only the spin-triplet dominated even parity A1g (s-wave) and B2g (d-wave) pairing states are consistent with the experimental data. Additionally, we show that these states can indeed be realized in a microscopic model with atomic-like interactions and study their possible signatures in spin-resolved STM experiments.

Nuclear magnetic resonance on $LaFeAsO_{0.4}H_{0.6}$ at 3.7 GPa

A prototypical electron-doped iron-based superconductor $LaFeAsO_{1-x}H_x$ undergoes an antiferromagnetic (AF) phase for $x \geq 0.49$. We performed NMR measurements on $LaFeAsO_{0.4}H_{0.6}$ at 3.7 GPa to investigate the magnetic properties in the vicinity of a pressure-induced QCP. The linewidth of $~^1H$-NMR spectra broadens at low temperatures below 30 K, suggesting that the ordered spin moments remain at 3.7 GPa. The coexistence of gapped and gapless spin excitations was confirmed in the ordered state from the relaxation time $T_1$ of $~^{75}As$. The pressure-induced QCP is estimated to be 4.1 GPa from the pressure dependence of the gapped excitation.
 
 Edited by: A. Goñi, A. Cantarero, J. S. Reparaz

Neutron scattering studies on the magnetic interaction in iron-based superconductor BaFe<sub>2</sub><sub>−</sub><sub><italic>x</italic></sub>Ni<sub><italic>x</italic></sub>As<sub>2</sub>

Iron-based superconductivity emerges from the suppression of the long-ranged antiferromagnetic order in the parent compounds. To solve the microscopic mechanism of the superconductivity, the key issue is fully understanding about the evolution of magnetic interaction and its relationship between superconductivity. Here, we take the electron-doped iron-based superconductor BaFe2- x Ni x As2 as atypical example, and summarize the neutron scattering results on the electronic phase diagram, magnetic ordered state, low-energy spin excitations and high-energy spin fluctuations, particularly for their systematic evolution versus electron dopings and the recent progress on the spin nematicity. Firstly, we will introduce about the crystal structure and magnetic structure, detailed procedure of the single crystal growth is also presented. By focusing on the structural transition temperature ( T s) and magnetic transition temperature ( T N) near the optimal doping level, we have found both T s and T N vanish above the superconducting transition temperature ( T c) as a first order manner, due to the lattice distortion and magnetically ordered moment decrease beyond the lower limit of the instrument resolution, giving an avoid quantum critical point at the optimal doping. In addition, the magnetic order becomes incommensurate and short-ranged magnetic cluster and competes with superconducting order, suggesting strong interplay between magnetism and superconductivity. Secondly, we will discuss about the itinerant magnetism and spin resonance mode at low energy for spin dynamics. The spin resonance mode in iron pnictides is explained as the collective quasiparticle excitations from the Fermi surface nesting between the hole pocket at the Γ point and electron pocket at the M point. This requires itinerant magnetism from the electrons near Fermi surfaces, which is further confirmed by neutron scattering by discovering the longitudinal mode and line shape change of low-energy spin excitations upon doping. Thirdly, we will present the doping evolution of spin fluctuations throughout the whole phase diagram. Although the spin waves in the parent compound can be described by an effective Heisenberg mode with anisotropic exchange coupling in FeAs plane, the damping features and unexpected low total fluctuation moments reveal both local moments and itinerant electrons contribute to the magnetism. Upon Ni doping, the high energy spin fluctuations is very robust, but the low energy spin excitations are suppressed quickly to zero when cross the boundary of the overdoped superconducting regime. The analysis on the change of the magnetic coupling energy associated with the superconducting transition gives evidence that the magnetic fluctuations are strong enough to drive the condensation of the Cooper pairs. Fourthly, we will further introduce the recent progress on the spin anisotropy by polarized neutron scattering experiments, and spin nematicity measured on detwinned samples. Anisotropic spin excitations at low energy are discovered by polarized neutron scattering, which is caused by the in-plane orbital ordering and persists away up to the tetragonal paramagnetic state. Further experiments on the detwinned sample under uniaxial pressure give direct evidence of the spin nematicity shown as breaking C4 rotation symmetry spin excitations in the tetragonal phase, similar to the anisotropic resistivity and electronic nematic phase discovered in other probes. Such novel electron state in these materials suggests the iron pnictides are unconventional. Finally, we summarize the results about the magnetic phase transition and spin dynamics and discuss its physical origin. Then a possible picture about the spin driven unconventional superconductivity in these materials is proposed. Further perspectives on the research of magnetism in iron-based superconductivity are also given.

Nematic Quantum Critical Fluctuations in BaFe_{2-x}Ni_{x}As_{2}.

We have systematically studied the nematic fluctuations in the electron-doped iron-based superconductor BaFe_{2-x}Ni_{x}As_{2} by measuring the in-plane resistance change under uniaxial pressure. While the nematic quantum critical point can be identified through the measurements along the (110) direction, as studied previously, quantum and thermal critical fluctuations cannot be distinguished due to similar Curie-Weiss-like behaviors. Here we find that a sizable pressure-dependent resistivity along the (100) direction is present in all doping levels, which is against the simple picture of an Ising-type nematic model. The signal along the (100) direction becomes maximum at optimal doping, suggesting that it is associated with nematic quantum critical fluctuations. Our results indicate that thermal fluctuations from striped antiferromagnetic order dominate the underdoped regime along the (110) direction. We argue that either there is a strong coupling between the quantum critical fluctuations and the fermions, or more exotically, a higher symmetry may be present around optimal doping.

Superconductivity and its mechanism in an ab initio model for electron-doped LaFeAsO.

Two families of high-temperature superconductors whose critical temperatures are higher than 50 K are known. One are the copper oxides and the other are the iron-based superconductors. Comparisons of mechanisms between these two in terms of common ground as well as distinctions will greatly help in searching for higher T(c) superconductors. However, studies on mechanisms for the iron family based on first principles calculations are few. Here we first show that superconductivity emerges in the state-of-the-art numerical calculations for an ab initio multi-orbital model of an electron-doped iron-based superconductor LaFeAsO, in accordance with experimental observations. Then the mechanism of the superconductivity is identified as enhanced uniform density fluctuations by one-to-one correspondence with the instability towards inhomogeneity driven by first-order antiferromagnetic and nematic transitions. Despite many differences, certain common features with the copper oxides are also discovered in terms of the underlying orbital-selective Mottness found in the iron family.

Model of the electronic structure of electron-doped iron-based superconductors: evidence for enhanced spin fluctuations by diagonal electron hopping.

We present a theoretical understanding of the superconducting phase diagram of the electron-doped iron pnictides. We show that, besides the Fermi surface nesting, a peculiar motion of electrons, where the next nearest neighbor (diagonal) hoppings between iron sites dominate over the nearest neighbor ones, plays an important role in the enhancement of the spin fluctuation and thus superconductivity. In the highest T(c) materials, the crossover between the Fermi surface nesting and this "prioritized diagonal motion" regime occurs smoothly with doping, while in relatively low T(c) materials, the two regimes are separated and therefore results in a double dome T(c) phase diagram.

Interplane resistivity of underdoped single crystals (Ba1−xKx)Fe2As2(0≤x<0.34)

Temperature-dependent inter-plane resistivity, $\rho _c(T)$, was measured in hole-doped iron-arsenide superconductor (Ba$_{1-x}$K$_x$)Fe$_2$As$_2$ over a doping range from parent compound to optimal doping $T_c\approx 38~K$, $0\leq x \leq 0.34$. Measurements were undertaken on high-quality single crystals grown from FeAs flux. The coupled magnetic/structural transition at $T_{SM}$ leads to clear accelerated decrease of $\rho_c(T)$ on cooling in samples with $T_c <$26~K ($x <0.25$). This decrease in hole-doped material is in notable contrast to an increase in $\rho_c(T)$ in the electron-doped Ba(Fe$_{1-x}$Co$_x$)Fe $_2$As$_2$ and iso-electron substituted BaFe$_2$(As$_{1-x}$P$_x$)$_2$. The $T_{SM}$ decreases very sharply with doping, dropping from $T_s$=71~K to zero on increase of $T_c$ from approximately 25 to 27~K. The $\rho_c(T)$ becomes $T$-linear close to optimal doping. The broad crossover maximum in $\rho_c(T)$, found in the parent BaFe$_2$As$_2$ at around $T_{max} \sim$200~K, shifts to higher temperature $\sim$250~K with doping $x$=0.34. The maximum shows clear correlation with the broad crossover feature found in the temperature-dependent in-plane resistivity $\rho_a(T)$. The doping evolution of $T_{max}$ in (Ba$_{1-x}$K$_x$)Fe$_2$As$_2$ is in notable contrast with both rapid suppression of $T_{max}$ found in Ba(Fe$_{1-x}TM_x$)$_2$As$_2$ ($TM$=Co,Rh,Ni,Pd) and its rapid increase BaFe$_2$(As$_{1-x}$P$_x$)$_2$. This observation suggest that pseudogap features are much stronger in hole-doped than in electron-doped iron-based superconductors, revealing significant electron-hole doping asymmetry similar to the cuprates. This paper replaces: cond-mat:1106.0533.

The specific heat of the electron-doped La-1038 compound (Ca0.85La0.15)10(FeAs)10(Pt3As8)

The specific heat of polycrystalline (Ca0.85La0.15)10(FeAs)10(Pt3As8), an electron-doped iron-based superconductor ( K) with Ca/La ions and Pt3As8 separating the FeAs layers, was measured between 0.4 and 48 K. This compound has been recently reported to represent an electron-doped variant of the non-superconducting 10-3-8 phase, featuring a superconducting transition in the range of that of the 10-4-8 phase. This family of compounds is unique among the iron pnictide superconductors discovered to date due to the second metal pnictide layer, Pt3As8, present in the structure competing with the familiar FeAs layer for the electron from the Ca/La. This superconductor is further unusual in that it has a rather low crystalline symmetry (triclinic) for such a high superconducting transition temperature. The specific heat γ is found to be approximately 26 mJ/(Ca/La mol)K2, comparable to 122 iron-based superconductors electron-doped on the Fe sites and a factor of two smaller than 122 compounds hole-doped on the cation site, e.g., Ba1−xKxFe2As2. The present work also investigates the discontinuity in the specific heat at Tc, ΔC, to compare with the global trend, established by Bud’ko, Ni and Canfield (BNC), of ΔC/Tc versus Tc found for essentially all iron-based superconductors. The result is a value lower than the BNC trend by a factor of ten, consistent with a severely broadened superconducting transition.

Quasiparticle states around a nonmagnetic impurity in electron-doped iron-based superconductors with spin-density-wave order

The quasiparticle states around a nonmagnetic impurity in electron-doped iron-based superconductors with spin-density-wave (SDW) order are investigated as a function of doping and impurity scattering strength. In the undoped sample, where a pure SDW state exists, two impurity-induced resonance peaks are observed around the impurity site and they are shifted to higher (lower) energies as the strength of the positive (negative) scattering potential (SP) is increased. For the doped samples, where the SDW order and the superconducting order coexist, the main feature is the existence of sharp in-gap resonance peaks, the positions and intensity of which depend on the strength of the SP and the doping concentration. In all cases, the local density of states exhibits clear ${C}_{2}$ symmetry. We also note that, in the doped cases, the impurity will divide the system into two sublattices with distinct values of magnetic order. Here, we use the band structure of a two-orbital model, which considers the asymmetry of the As atoms above and below the Fe-Fe plane. This model is suitable to study the properties of the surface layers in the iron pnictides and should be more appropriate to describe the scanning tunneling microscopy experiments.

High-resolution ARPES study of electron-doped Fe-based superconductor BaFe1.85Co0.15As2

We have performed high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy of an electron-doped iron-based superconductor BaFe1.85Co0.15As2, and experimentally determined the Fermi-surface, the band structure and the superconducting gap. We found an isotropic s-wave-like superconducting gap on a hole pocket centered at the Γ point and on electron pockets at the M point. The superconducting gap magnitude is significantly enhanced on the Fermi-surfaces connected by the antiferromagnetic wave vector, suggesting the importance of an interband interaction on the pairing mechanism.