Isotope effect on the transition temperature TcT_c in Fe-based superconductors: the current status

The results of the Fe isotope effect (Fe-IE) on the transition temperature $T_c$ obtained up to date in various Fe-based high temperature superconductors are summarized and reanalyzed by following the approach developed in [Phys. Rev. B 82, 212505 (2010)]. It is demonstrated that the very controversial results for Fe-IE on $T_c$ are caused by small structural changes occurring simultaneously with the Fe isotope exchange. The Fe-IE exponent on $T_c$ [$\alpha_{\rm Fe}=-(\Delta T_c/T_c)/(\Delta M/M)$, $M$ is the isotope mass] needs to be decomposed into two components with the one related to the structural changes ($\alpha_{\rm Fe}^{\rm str}$) and the genuine (intrinsic) one ($\alpha_{\rm Fe}^{\rm int}$). The validity of such decomposition is further confirmed by the fact that $\alpha_{\rm Fe}^{\rm int}$ coincides with the Fe-IE exponent on the characteristic phonon frequencies $\alpha_{\rm Fe}^{\rm ph}$ as is reported in recent EXAFS and Raman experiments.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures. The paper is partially based on the results published in [New J. Phys. 12, 073024 (2010) = arXiv:1002.2510] and [Phys. Rev. B 82, 212505 (2010) = arXiv:1008.4540

Effect of external pressure on the magnetic properties of RRCoAsO (RR = La, Pr, Sm): a μ\muSR study

We report on a detailed investigation of the itinerant ferromagnets LaCoAsO, PrCoAsO and SmCoAsO performed by means of muon spin spectroscopy upon the application of external hydrostatic pressures $p$ up to $2.4$ GPa. These materials are shown to be magnetically hard in view of the weak dependence of both critical temperatures $T_{C}$ and internal fields at the muon site on $p$. In the cases $R$ = La and Sm, the behaviour of the internal field is substantially unaltered up to $p = 2.4$ GPa. A much richer phenomenology is detected in PrCoAsO instead, possibly associated with a strong $p$ dependence of the statistical population of the two different crystallographic sites for the muon. Surprisingly, results are notably different from what is observed in the case of the isostructural compounds $R$CoPO, where the full As/P substitution is already inducing a strong chemical pressure within the lattice but $p$ is still very effective in further affecting the magnetic properties.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

Pressure induced softening of YB_6: pressure effect on the Ginzburg-Landau parameter \kappa=\lambda/\xi

Measurements of the transition temperature T_c, the second critical filed H_{c2} and the magnetic penetration depth \lambda under hydrostatic pressure (up to 9.2 kbar) in the YB_6 superconductor were carried out. A pronounced and {\it negative} pressure effects (PE) on T_c and H_{c2} with dT_c/dp=-0.0547(4) K/kbar and \mu_0dH_{c2}(0)/dp =-4.84(20) mT/kbar, and zero PE on \lambda(0) were observed. The PE on the coherence length d\xi(0)/dp=0.28(2) nm/kbar was calculated from the measured pressure dependence of H_{c2}(0). Together with the zero PE on the magnetic penetration depth \lambda(0), our results imply that the Ginzburg-Landau parameter \kappa(0)=\xi(0)/\lambda(0) depends on pressure and that pressure "softens" YB_6, e.g. moves it to the type-I direction.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Pressure effect on the in-plane magnetic penetration depth in YBa_2Cu_4O_8

We report a study of the pressure effect (PE) on the in-plane magnetic field penetration depth lambda_{ab} in YBa_2Cu_4O_8 by means of Meissner fraction measurements. A pronounced PE on lambda_{ab}^{-2}(0) was observed with a maximum relative shift of \Delta\lambda^{-2}_{ab}/\lambda^{-2}_{ab}= 44(3)% at a pressure of 10.2 kbar. It arises from the pressure dependence of the effective in-plane charge carrier mass and pressure induced charge carrier transfer from the CuO chains to the superconducting CuO_2 planes. The present results imply that the charge carriers in YBa_2Cu_4O_8 are coupled to the lattice.Comment: 4pages 3 figure

Tuning the superconducting and magnetic properties in Fe_ySe_0.25Te_0.75 by varying the Fe-content

The superconducting and magnetic properties of Fe$_{y}$Se$_{0.25}$Te$_{0.75}$ single crystals ($0.9\leq y \leq1.1$) were studied by means of x-ray diffraction, SQUID magnetometry, muon spin rotation, and elastic neutron diffraction. The samples with $y<1$ exhibit coexistence of bulk superconductivity and incommensurate magnetism. The magnetic order remains incommensurate for $y\geq 1$, but with increasing Fe content superconductivity is suppressed and the magnetic correlation length increases. The results show that the superconducting and the magnetic properties of the Fe$_{y}$Se$_{1-x}$Te$_{x}$ can be tuned not only by varying the Se/Te ratio but also by changing the Fe content

Microscopic Study of the Superconducting State of the Iron Pnictide RbFe_2As_2

A study of the temperature and field dependence of the penetration depth \lambda of the superconductor RbFe_2As_2 (T_c=2.52 K) was carried out by means of muon-spin rotation measurements. In addition to the zero temperature value of the penetration depth \lambda(0)=267(5) nm, a determination of the upper critical field B_c2(0)=2.6(2) T was obtained. The temperature dependence of the superconducting carrier concentration is discussed within the framework of a multi-gap scenario. Compared to the other "122" systems which exhibit much higher Fermi level, a strong reduction of the large gap BCS ratio 2\Delta/k_B T_c is observed. This is interpreted as a consequence of the absence of interband processes. Indications of possible pair-breaking effect are also discussed.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Direct observation of non-local effects in a superconductor

We have used the technique of low energy muon spin rotation to measure the local magnetic field profile B(z) beneath the surface of a lead film maintained in the Meissner state (z depth from the surface, z <= 200 nm). The data unambiguously show that B(z) clearly deviates from an exponential law and represent the first direct, model independent proof for a non-local response in a superconductor.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Depth dependent spin dynamics of canonical spin glass films: A low-energy muon spin rotation study

We have performed depth dependent muon spin rotation/relaxation studies of the dynamics of single layer films of {\it Au}Fe and {\it Cu}Mn spin glasses as a function of thickness and of its behavior as a function of distance from the vacuum interface (5-70 nm). A significant reduction in the muon spin relaxation rate as a function of temperature with respect to the bulk material is observed when the muons are stopped near (5-10 nm) the surface of the sample. A similar reduction is observed for the whole sample if the thickness is reduced to e.g. 20 nm and less. This reflects an increased impurity spin dynamics (incomplete freezing) close to the surface although the freezing temperature is only modestly affected by the dimensional reduction