Probing antiferromagnetic order of iron-based superconductors through the surface

ORAL

Abstract

Understanding the surface structural and electronic properties of iron-based superconductors (FeSCs) is of great significance, as it can reveal the bulk superconducting properties. Previous study reveals a state near 0.2eV below Fermi level on √2×√2 or 2×1 reconstructed surface of Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2, which is identified as a surface state by ARPES and DFT calculations. This state has also been observed on the surfaces of other 122 FeSCs with different doping levels, alkaline earth metal elements, and surface reconstructions. Its common presence suggests an origin other than simple surface state. Here, we systematically investigated low-temperature cleaved parent and slightly doped BaFe2As2 superconductors by scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/S). We observed the same state on all √2×√2, 2×1 and even mixed surfaces. However, it vanishes when heating the sample above the Neel temperature (TN), and recovers after cooling down below TN, suggesting it is related to the bulk antiferromagnetic order.

*This research was conducted at the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility. Z.Ge, L.S. and A.S.’s research are supported by the U.S. DOE, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Science and Engineering Division.

Presenters

  • Zhuozhi Ge

    • Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Lab

Authors

  • Zhuozhi Ge

    • Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Lab
  • Qiang Zou

    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, West Virginia University
    • Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Lab
    • West Virginia University
  • Mingming Fu

    • Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
    • Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Lab
  • Shivani Rajput

    • Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Lab
  • Liurukara D Sanjeewa

    • Oak Ridge National Lab
    • Materials Science & Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Athena S. Sefat

    • Oak Ridge National Lab
    • Materials Science & Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Lian Li

    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, West Virginia University
    • West Virginia University
  • Zheng Gai

    • Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
    • Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
    • CNMS, Oak Ridge National Lab
    • Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Lab