A key role for unusual spin dynamics in ferropnictides

TL;DR

This paper proposes that dynamic magnetic domains and spin density wave fluctuations are key to understanding the complex magnetic and structural properties of ferropnictide superconductors, reconciling experimental and theoretical discrepancies.

Contribution

It introduces a model assuming highly magnetic, dynamic spin density waves with twin and anti-phase boundaries to explain experimental observations and improve theoretical predictions.

Findings

Calculations match experimental structural details.

Explains temperature separation of structural and magnetic transitions.

Highlights importance of magnetic fluctuations in superconductivity.

Abstract

The 2008 discovery of superconducting ferropnictides with Tc~26K-56K introduced a new family of materials into the category of high Tc superconductors. The ongoing project of understanding the superconducting mechanism and pairing symmetry has already revealed a complicated and often contradictory underlying picture of the structural and magnetic properties. There is an almost unprecedented sensitivity of the calculated magnetism and Fermi surface to structural details that prohibits correspondence with experiment. Furthermore, experimental probes of the order parameter symmetry are in surprisingly strong disagreement, even considering the relative immaturity of the field. Here we outline all of the various and seemingly contradictory evidences, both theoretical and experimental, and show that they can be rectified if the system is assumed to be highly magnetic with a spin density wave that is well-defined but with magnetic twin and anti-phase boundaries that are dynamic on the time-scale of experiments. Under this assumption, we find that our calculations can accurately reproduce even very fine details of the structure, and a natural explanation for the temperature separation of structural and magnetic transitions is provided. Thus, our theory restores agreement between experiment and theory in crucial areas, making further cooperative progress possible on both fronts. We believe that fluctuating magnetic domains will be an essential component of unravelling the interplay between magnetic interactions and superconductivity in these newest high Tc superconductors.