Integer and half-integer flux-quantum transitions in a niobium/iron-pnictide loop

The recent discovery of iron-based superconductors challenges the existing paradigm of high-temperature superconductivity. Owing to their unusual multi-orbital band structure, magnetism, and electron correlation, theories propose a unique sign reversed s-wave pairing state, with the order parameter changing sign between the electron and hole Fermi pockets. However, because of the complex Fermi surface topology and material related issues, the predicted sign reversal remains unconfirmed. Here we report a novel phase-sensitive technique for probing unconventional pairing symmetry in the polycrystalline iron-pnictides. Through the observation of both integer and half-integer flux-quantum transitions in composite niobium/iron-pnictide loops, we provide the first phase-sensitive evidence of the sign change of the order parameter in NdFeAsO0.88F0.12, lending strong support for microscopic models predicting unconventional s-wave pairing symmetry. These findings have important implications on the mechanism of pnictide superconductivity, and lay the groundwork for future studies of new physics arising from the exotic order in the FeAs-based superconductors.Comment: 23 pages, including 4 figures and supplementary informatio

Neutron excitations across the N=50 shell gap in 102In^{102}In

The structure of In-102 has been investigated by in-beam gamma-spectroscopic methods. Knowledge on the excited states of this nucleus has significantly been extended. Three cascades of transitions were observed to exceed the spin-energy domain spanned by the pig(9/2)(-1)v(d(5/2),g(7/2))(3) configurations. The new high spin states at similar to 4 MeV excitation energy could be assigned to the pig(9/2)(-1)v(d(5/2), g(7/2))(2)h (11/2) configuration, while at least those at 4.733, 5.192 and 5.853 MeV most likely arise from the vg(9/2) --> vd(5/2), g(7/2) one-particle-one-hole excitation across the N = 50 shell closure

Maximally aligned states in the proton drip line nucleus 106Sb

High-spin states in Sb-106 have been investigated in the Fe-54(Ni-58, 1α 1p1n) reaction by in-beam γ-spectroscopic methods using the EUROBALL detector array equipped with charged particle and neutron detectors. On the basis of measured γγ-coincidence relations, angular distributions, and linear polarization ratios a significantly extended level scheme has been constructed up to spin and parity I-π = (19(-)) and E-x ∼ 6.5 MeV. The experimental results are interpreted within the framework of the gdsh shell model using a realistic effective nucleon-nucleon interaction. Candidates for states with fully aligned angular momenta in the π(d(5/2), g(7/2))(1) v (d(5/2), g(7/2))(5) valence space are identified at 4338 and 5203 keV, as well as in the π(d(5/2), g(7/2))(1) V(d(5/2), g(7/2))(4)h(11/2)(1) space at 6087, 6573 and 6783 keV