Magnetic and superconducting phase diagram of Eu(Fe$_{1-x}$Ni$_{x}$)As$_{2}$


Abstract in English

We report the Ni-doping effect on magnetism and superconductivity (SC) in an Eu-containing 112-type system Eu(Fe$_{1-x}$Ni$_{x})$As$_{2}$ ($0leq xleq 0.15$) by the measurements of resistivity, magnetization, and specific heat. The undoped EuFeAs$_2$ undergoes a spin-density-wave (SDW) transition at $T_mathrm{SDW}sim$ 105 K in the Fe sublattice and a magnetic ordering at $T_mathrm{m}sim$ 40 K in the Eu sublattice. Complex Eu-spin magnetism is manifested by a spin-glass reentrance at $T_mathrm{SG}sim$ 15 K and an additional spin reorientation at $T_mathrm{SR}sim$ 7 K. With Ni doping, the SDW order is rapidly suppressed, and SC emerges in the Ni-doping range of 0.01 $leq xleq$ 0.1 where a maximum of the superconducting transition temperature $T_mathrm{c}^{mathrm{max}}=$ 17.6 K shows up at $x$ = 0.04. On the other hand, $T_mathrm{m}$ decreases very slowly, yet $T_mathrm{SG}$ and $T_mathrm{SR}$ hardly change with the Ni doping. The phase diagram has been established, which suggests a very weak coupling between SC and Eu spins. The complex Eu-spin magnetism is discussed in terms of the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interactions mediated by the conduction electrons from both layers of FeAs and As surrounding Eu$^{2+}$ ions.

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