New magnetic phase confirms theoretical predictions related to unconventional superconductivity

Understanding the origin of different thermodynamic phases is important for the development of a unified theory for the elusive microscopic mechanism underlying high-temperature superconductivity; these observations provide key information useful for its development.

The discovery of unconventional superconductivity in iron-based materials in 2008 provided yet another platform for understanding the mechanisms that govern the high-temperature superconductivity first observed in copper oxides in 1986. In general, superconductivity can be induced in iron arsenides by replacing a fraction of certain elements with a different kind (chemical doping) to alter the number of mobile electrons in the materials. At room temperature, the iron atoms sit on a square lattice (see image, top right) with their magnetic moments oriented in a random fashion. Upon cooling, the material undergoes a structural transition forming a rectangular lattice. This transition, which is referred to as "nematic order," is accompanied by magnetic order (middle right).

What drives nematic order is controversial, but understanding its origin is important to learn about the mechanisms for unconventional superconductivity, both for the iron-based compounds and the copper oxides. Until now, it was thought that nematic order persists as the material cools all the way to its superconducting state. However, the emergence of a new magnetic phase discovered in this neutron powder diffraction study shows that some materials return to a square lattice with ordered magnetic moments prior to the onset of superconductivity (bottom right). This is consistent with theoretical predictions that magnetic interactions drive the restoration of four-fold symmetry when they are weakened by chemical doping, close to the onset of superconductivity. There is a small doping range where magnetism and superconductivity coexist; this is where the new magnetic phase is seen by neutron diffraction. The observations thus provide strong evidence that magnetism drives both the nematic order and its eventual destruction prior to the emergence of superconductivity.

DOE Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences. International contributions were provided with support from the United Kingdom and Germany.