We report the first comprehensive high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission measurements on CeFeAsO, a parent compound of FeAs-based high temperature superconductors with a mangetic/structural transition at $sim$150 K. In the magnetic ordering sta
te, four hole-like Fermi surface sheets are observed near $Gamma$(0,0) and the Fermi surface near M(+/-$pi$,+/-$pi$) shows a tiny electron-like pocket at M surrounded by four Dirac cone-like strong spots. The unusual Fermi surface topology deviates strongly from the band structure calculations. The electronic signature of the magnetic/structural transition shows up in the dramatic change of the quasiparticle scattering rate. A dispersion kink at $sim$ 25meV is for the first time observed in the parent compound of Fe-based superconductors.
High resolution angle-resolved photoemission measurements have been carried out on BaFe2As2, a parent compound of the FeAs-based superconductors. In the magnetic ordering state, there is no gap opening observed on the Fermi surface. Instead, dramatic
band structure reorganization occurs across the magnetic transition. The appearance of the singular Fermi spots near (pi,pi) is the most prominent signature of magnetic ordering. These observations provide direct evidence that the magnetic ordering state of BaFe2As2 is distinct from the conventional spin-density-wave state. They reflect the electronic complexity in this multiple-orbital system and necessity in involving the local magnetic moment in describing the underlying electron structure.
High resolution angle-resolved photoemission measurements have been carried out to study the superconducting gap in the (Ba0.6K0.4)Fe2As2 superconductor with Tc=35 K. Two hole-like Fermi surface sheets around the G(0,0) point exhibit different superc
onducting gaps. The inner Fermi surface sheet shows larger (10-12 meV) and slightly momentum-dependent gap while the outer one has smaller (7-8 meV) and nearly isotropic gap. The lack of gap node in both Fermi surface sheets favours s-wave superconducting gap symmetry. Superconducting gap opening is also observed at the M(pi,pi) point. The two Fermi surface spots near the M point are gapped below Tc but the gap persists above Tc. The rich and detailed superconducting gap information will provide key insights and constraints in understanding pairing mechanism in the iron-based superconductors.
High-resolution laser-based angle-resolved photoemission measurements have been carried out on the electron-doped (Nd$_{1.85}$Ce$_{0.15}$)CuO$_4$ high temperature superconductor. We have revealed a clear kink at $sim$60 meV in the dispersion along th
e (0,0)-($pi$,$pi$) nodal direction, accompanied by a peak-dip-hump feature in the photoemission spectra. This indicates that the nodal electrons are coupled to collective excitations (bosons) in electron-doped superconductors, with the phonons as the most likely candidate of the boson. This finding has established a universality of nodal electron coupling in both hole- and electron-doped high temperature cuprate superconductors.
High resolution angle-resolved photoemission measurements have been carried out on (Sr,K)Fe$_2$As$_2$ superconductor (Tc=21 K). Three hole-like Fermi surface sheets are clearly resolved for the first time around the Gamma point. The overall electroni
c structure shows significant difference from the band structure calculations. Qualitative agreement between the measured and calculated band structure is realized by assuming a chemical potential shift of -0.2 eV. The obvious band renormalization suggests the importance of electron correlation in understanding the electronic structure of the Fe-based compounds.
High resolution photoemission measurements have been carried out on non-superconducting LaOFeAs parent compound and various superconducting R(O1-xFx)FeAs (R=La, Ce and Pr) compounds. We found that the parent LaOFeAs compound shows a metallic characte
r. Through extensive measurements, we have identified several common features in the electronic structure of these Fe-based compounds: (1). 0.2 eV feature in the valence band; (2). A universal 13~16 meV feature; (3). A clear Fermi cutoff showing zero leading-edge shift in the superconducting state;(4). Lack of superconducting coherence peak(s); (5). Near EF spectral weight suppression with decreasing temperature. These universal features can provide important information about band structure, superconducting gap and pseudogap in these Fe-based materials.
High resolution photoemission measurements have been carried out on non-superconducting SmOFeAs parent compound and superconducting Sm(O$_{1-x}$F$_x$)FeAs (x=0.12, and 0.15) compounds. The momentum-integrated spectra exhibit a clear Fermi cutoff that
shows little leading-edge shift in the superconducting state which suggests the Fermi surface sheet(s) around the $Gamma$ point may not be gapped in this multiband superconductors. A robust feature at 13 meV is identified in all these samples. Spectral weight suppression near E$_F$ with decreasing temperature is observed in both undoped and doped samples that points to a possible existence of a pseudogap in these Fe-based compounds.
