Universality of dispersive spin-resonance mode in superconducting BaFe2As2

Spin fluctuations in superconducting BaFe2(As1-xPx)2 (x=0.34, Tc = 29.5 K) are studied using inelastic neutron scattering. Well-defined commensurate magnetic signals are observed at ({\pi},0), which is consistent with the nesting vector of the Fermi surface. Antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin fluctuations in the normal state exhibit a three-dimensional character reminiscent of the AFM order in nondoped BaFe2As2. A clear spin gap is observed in the superconducting phase forming a peak whose energy is significantly dispersed along the c-axis. The bandwidth of dispersion becomes larger with approaching the AFM ordered phase universally in all superconducting BaFe2As2, indicating that the dispersive feature is attributed to three-dimensional AFM correlations. The results suggest a strong relationship between the magnetism and superconductivity.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Incommensurate spin fluctuations in hole-overdoped superconductor KFe2As2

A neutron scattering study of heavily hole-overdoped superconducting KFe$_2$As$_2$ revealed a well-defined low-energy incommensurate spin fluctuation at [$\pi(1\pm2\delta$),0] with $\delta$ = 0.16. The incommensurate structure differs from the previously observed commensurate peaks in electron-doped $A$Fe$_2$As$_2$ ($A$ = Ba, Ca, or Sr) at low energies. The direction of the peak splitting is perpendicular to that observed in Fe(Te,Se) or in Ba(Fe,Co)$_2$As$_2$ at high energies. A band structure calculation suggests interband scattering between bands around the $\Gamma$ and X points as an origin of this incommensurate peak. The perpendicular direction of the peak splitting can be understood within the framework of multiorbital band structure. The results suggest that spin fluctuation is more robust in hole-doped than in electron-doped samples, which can be responsible for the appearance of superconductivity in the heavily hole-doped samples.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Effect of Co doping on the in-plane anisotropy in the optical spectrum of underdoped Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2

We investigated the anisotropy in the in-plane optical spectra of detwinned Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2. The optical conductivity spectrum of BaFe2As2 shows appreciable anisotropy in the magnetostructural ordered phase, whereas the dc resistivity is almost isotropic at low temperatures. Upon Co doping, the resistivity becomes highly anisotropic, while the finite-energy intrinsic anisotropy is suppressed. It is found that anisotropy in resistivity arises from anisotropic impurity scattering from doped Co atoms, extrinsic in origin. Intensity of a specific optical phonon mode is also found to show striking anisotropy in the ordered phase. The anisotropy induced by Co impurity and that observed in the optical phonon mode are hallmarks of the highly polarizable electronic state in the ordered phase.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Anisotropic Energy Gaps of Iron-based Superconductivity from Intra-band Quasiparticle Interference in LiFeAs

If strong electron-electron interactions between neighboring Fe atoms mediate the Cooper pairing in iron-pnictide superconductors, then specific and distinct anisotropic superconducting energy gaps \Delta_i(k) should appear on the different electronic bands i. Here we introduce intra-band Bogoliubov quasiparticle scattering interference (QPI) techniques for determination of \Delta_i(k) in such materials, focusing on LiFeAs. We identify the three hole-like bands assigned previously as \gamma, \alpha_2 and \alpha_1, and we determine the anisotropy, magnitude and relative orientations of their \Delta_i(k). These measurements will advance quantitative theoretical analysis of the mechanism of Cooper pairing in iron-based superconductivity