Tuning the interplay between nematicity and spin fluctuations in Na1-x Lix FeAs superconductors

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • S. H. Baek - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Dilip Bhoi - , Seoul National University (Author)
  • Woohyun Nam - , Seoul National University (Author)
  • Bumsung Lee - , Seoul National University (Author)
  • D. V. Efremov - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • B. Büchner - , Chair of Experimental Solid State Physics, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Kee Hoon Kim - , Seoul National University (Author)

Abstract

Strong interplay of spin and charge/orbital degrees of freedom is the fundamental characteristic of the iron-based superconductors (FeSCs), which leads to the emergence of a nematic state as a rule in the vicinity of the antiferromagnetic state. Despite intense debate for many years, however, whether nematicity is driven by spin or orbital fluctuations remains unsettled. Here, by use of transport, magnetization, and 75As nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements, we show a striking transformation of the relationship between nematicity and spin fluctuations (SFs) in Na1-x Li x FeAs; For x ≤ 0.02, the nematic transition promotes SFs. In contrast, for x ≥ 0.03, the system undergoes a non-magnetic phase transition at a temperature T 0 into a distinct nematic state that suppresses SFs. Such a drastic change of the spin fluctuation spectrum associated with nematicity by small doping is highly unusual, and provides insights into the origin and nature of nematicity in FeSCs.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number2139
JournalNature communications
Volume9
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2018
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 29849096