Frustration-driven C4 symmetric order in a naturally-heterostructured superconductor Sr2VO3FeAs

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Jong Mok Ok - , Pohang University of Science and Technology, Institute for Basic Science (Author)
  • S. H. Baek - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • C. Hoch - , Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research (Author)
  • R. K. Kremer - , Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research (Author)
  • S. Y. Park - , Pohang University of Science and Technology (Author)
  • Sungdae Ji - , Pohang University of Science and Technology (Author)
  • B. Büchner - , Chair of Experimental Solid State Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • J. H. Park - , Pohang University of Science and Technology (Author)
  • S. I. Hyun - , Pohang University of Science and Technology (Author)
  • J. H. Shim - , Pohang University of Science and Technology (Author)
  • Yunkyu Bang - , Chonnam National University (Author)
  • E. G. Moon - , Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) (Author)
  • I. I. Mazin - , US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) (Author)
  • Jun Sung Kim - , Pohang University of Science and Technology, Institute for Basic Science (Author)

Abstract

A subtle balance between competing interactions in iron-based superconductors (FeSCs) can be tipped by additional interfacial interactions in a heterostructure, often inducing exotic phases with unprecedented properties. Particularly when the proximity-coupled layer is magnetically active, rich phase diagrams are expected in FeSCs, but this has not been explored yet. Here, using high-accuracy 75As and 51V nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, we investigate an electronic phase that emerges in the FeAs layer below T 0 ∼ 155 K of Sr2VO3FeAs, a naturally assembled heterostructure of an FeSC and a Mott-insulating vanadium oxide. We find that frustration of the otherwise dominant Fe stripe and V Neel fluctuations via interfacial coupling induces a charge/orbital order in the FeAs layers, without either static magnetism or broken C 4 symmetry, while suppressing the Neel antiferromagnetism in the SrVO3 layers. These findings demonstrate that the magnetic proximity coupling stabilizes a hidden order in FeSCs, which may also apply to other strongly correlated heterostructures.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number2167
JournalNature communications
Volume8
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2017
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 29255140