The influence of spin fluctuations on the thermal conductivity in superconducting Ba(Fe_{1-x}Co_x)_2As_2

TL;DR

This study investigates how spin fluctuations influence thermal conductivity in electron-doped Ba(Fe$_{1-x}$Co$_x$)$_2$As$_2$ superconductors, revealing that magnetic excitations affect heat transport near the superconducting transition.

Contribution

It demonstrates that measuring thermal conductivity near $T_c$ can probe the role of spin fluctuations in iron-based superconductors, highlighting the impact of magnetic excitations on heat transport.

Findings

Thermal conductivity $_{ab}$ is enhanced below $T_c$, especially near optimal doping.

Spin-gap formation reduces magnetic scattering, increasing $(T)$ in the superconducting state.

Differences in $(T)$ between single crystals and polycrystals reveal anisotropic scattering effects.

Abstract

The thermal conductivity of electron-doped Ba(Fe$_{1-x}$Co$_x$)$_2$As$_2$ single crystals is investigated below 200K, with an emphasis on the behavior near the magnetic and superconducting (T_c) transition temperatures. An enhancement of the in-plane thermal conductivity $\kappa_{ab}$ is observed below T_c for all samples, with the greatest enhancement observed near optimal doping. The observed trends are consistent with the scattering of heat carriers by low-energy magnetic excitations. Upon entering the superconducting state, the formation of a spin-gap leads to reduced scattering and an enhancement in $\kappa(T)$. Similarly, an enhancement of $\kappa$ is observed for polycrystalline BaFe2As2 below the magnetic transition, and qualitative differences in $\kappa(T)$ between single crystalline and polycrystalline BaFe2As2 are utilized to discuss anisotropic scattering. This study highlights how measuring $\kappa$ near $T_c$ in novel superconductors can be useful as a means to probe the potential role of spin fluctuations.