Superconducting fluctuations in the reversible magnetization of the iron-pnictide $Ba_{1-x}K_xFe_2As_2$

TL;DR

This study investigates superconducting fluctuations in magnetization of Ba-K-Fe-As2 crystals, revealing critical fluctuations and phase fluctuation effects near the transition, suggesting nodal gaps.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of three-dimensional critical fluctuations and phase fluctuations in iron-pnictide superconductors near Tc.

Findings

Critical fluctuations obey known scaling laws.

Rounding effect extends 1-3 K above Tc.

Phase fluctuations indicate possible nodal gaps.

Abstract

We report on isofield magnetization curves obtained as a function of temperature in two single crystals of $Ba_{1-x}K_xFe_2As_2$ with superconducting transition temperature $T_c$=28K and 32.7 K. Results obtained for fields above 20 kOe show a well defined rounding effect on the reversible region extending 1-3 K above $T_c(H)$ masking the transition. This rounding appears to be due to three-dimensional critical fluctuations, as the higher field curves obey a well know scaling law for this type of critical fluctuations. We also analysed the asymptotic behavior of $\sqrt M$vs.T curves in the reversible region which probes the shape of the gap near $T_c(H)$. Results of the analysis suggests that phase fluctuations are important in $Ba_{1-x}K_xFe_2As_2$ which is consistent with nodes in the gap.