We use point contact spectroscopy (PCS) to probe the superconducting properties of electron doped $rm{Ba(Fe_{1-x}Co_x)_2As_2}$ ($rm{x = 0.05, 0.055, 0.07, 0.08}$) and hole doped $rm{Ba_{0.8}K_{0.2}Fe_2As_2}$. PCS directly probes the low energy densit
y of states via Andreev reflection, revealing two distinct superconducting gaps in both compound families. Apart from the electron underdoped $rm{Ba(Fe_{1-x}Co_{x})_2As_2}$, the excess current due to Andreev reflection for the compounds follows the typical BCS temperature dependence. For underdoped $rm{Ba(Fe_{1-x}Co_{x})_2As_2}$, the temperature dependence of the excess current deviates from that of BCS, developing a tail at higher temperatures and surviving above bulk $T_c$. Possible explanations for this anomalous behavior are explored.
We report inelastic neutron scattering measurements of the magnetic excitations in SrFe2As2, the parent of a family of iron-based superconductors. The data extend throughout the Brillouin zone and up to energies of ~260meV. An analysis with the local
-moment J_1-J2 model implies very different in-plane nearest-neighbor exchange parameters along the $a$ and $b$ directions, both in the orthorhombic and tetragonal phases. However, the spectrum calculated from the J1-J2 model deviates significantly from our data. We show that the qualitative features that cannot be described by the J1-J2 model are readily explained by calculations from a 5-band itinerant mean-field model.
We present a comprehensive comparison of the infrared charge response of two systems, characteristic of classes of the 122 pnictide (SrFe2As2) and 11 chalcogenide (Fe_1.087Te) Fe compounds with magnetically-ordered ground states. In the 122 system, t
he magnetic phase shows a decreased plasma frequency and scattering, and associated appearance of strong mid-infrared features. The 11 system, with a different magnetic ordering pattern, also shows decreased scattering, but an increase in the plasma frequency, while no clear mid-infrared features appear below the ordering temperature. We suggest how this marked contrast can be understood in terms of the diverse magnetic ordering patterns of the ground state, and conclude that while the high temperature phases of these systems are similar, the magnetic ordering strongly affects the charge dynamical response. In addition, we propose an optical absorption mechanism which appears to be consistent with information gained from several different experiments.
SrFe2As2 is the end-member for a series of iron-pnictide superconductors and has a tetragonal-to-orthorhombic phase transition near 200 K. Previous macroscopic measurements to determine the nature of the transition gave seemingly inconsistent results
so we use electron microscopy to monitor the local order parameter showing that the transformation is first order and that the orthorhombic phase grows as needle domains. This suggests the transition occurs via the passage of transformation dislocations, explaining the apparent inconsistencies. This mechanism may be common to similar transitions.
We report measurements of the Hall coefficient $R_H$ for single crystals of AFe$_2$As$_2$ with $A = Ba, Ca$ or $Sr$ which are the anti-ferromagnetic parent compounds of some high temperature pnictide superconductors. We show that $R_H$ of Sr-122 is c
onsistent with high field quantum oscillation data. Our $R_H(T)$ data can also be used to estimate values of the spin density wave gap, giving $Delta_{SDW}(0) = 710pm 70$ K for Sr-122 and $435pm 20$ K for Ba-122.
We report quantum oscillation measurements in SrFe2As2 - which is an antiferromagnetic parent of the iron-arsenide family of superconductors - known to become superconducting under doping and the application of pressure. The magnetic field and temper
ature dependences of the oscillations between 20 and 55 T in the liquid helium temperature range suggest that the electronic excitations are those of a Fermi liquid. We show that the observed Fermi surface comprising small pockets is consistent with the formation of a spin-density wave. Our measurements thus demonstrate that high Tc superconductivity can occur on doping or pressurizing a conventional metallic spin-density wave state.
