Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering in single-crystal superconducting PrFeAsO0.7

TL;DR

This study uses resonant inelastic x-ray scattering to investigate electronic excitations in the superconducting PrFeAsO0.7, revealing a charge-transfer feature near 4.5 eV that is slightly resonantly enhanced.

Contribution

First RIXS measurements at the Fe K-edge on PrFeAsO0.7, identifying a charge-transfer excitation related to superconductivity in this material.

Findings

Detected a broad feature at 4.5 eV energy loss.

Observed slight resonance enhancement near the 4p white line.

Suggested charge-transfer between As 4p and Fe 3d orbitals.

Abstract

Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) spectra at the Fe K-edge were measured for a single crystal of the iron oxypnictide superconductor PrFeAsO0.7 (Tc=42 K). They disclose a weak, broad feature centered around 4.5 eV energy loss, which is slightly resonantly enhanced when the incident energy is tuned in the vicinity of the 4p white line. We tentatively ascribe it to the charge-transfer excitation between As 4p and Fe 3d.