Lattice distortion and magnetic quantum phase transition in CeFeAs(1-x)P(x)O

TL;DR

This study uses neutron scattering to investigate how phosphorus substitution in CeFeAs(1-x)P(x)O suppresses antiferromagnetic order and structural distortion, revealing a magnetic quantum critical point and highlighting the role of pnictogen height in electronic properties.

Contribution

It demonstrates the suppression of magnetic order and structural distortion with phosphorus doping and identifies pnictogen height as a key factor influencing magnetic and electronic behavior.

Findings

Suppression of AF order near x=0.4

Orthorhombic distortion is reduced with doping

Pnictogen height influences magnetic and electronic properties

Abstract

We use neutron scattering to show that replacing the larger arsenic with smaller phosphorus in CeFeAs(1-x)P(x)O simultaneously suppresses the AF order and orthorhombic distortion near x = 0.4, providing evidence for a magnetic quantum critical point. Furthermore, we find that the pnictogen height in iron arsenide is an important controlling parameter for their electronic and magnetic properties, and may play an important role in electron pairing and superconductivity.