Unconventional superconductors: Iron-based diversity

TL;DR

This paper reviews the diversity and properties of iron-based unconventional superconductors, emphasizing the role of magnetism and lattice interactions in understanding their mechanisms and guiding future discovery.

Contribution

It provides a systematic comparison of various iron-based superconductors to identify key factors influencing their superconductivity.

Findings

Iron-based superconductors exhibit diverse structures and properties.

Stripe-type antiferromagnetism is common and influential.

Coupling between magnetism and lattice affects superconductivity.

Abstract

Nine years ago, superconductors based on the magnetic element iron were discovered. A flurry of research activity has revealed an unprecedented diversity of chemical structures and physical properties. Similarly to other unconventional superconductors, stripe-type antiferromagnetism seems to play an important role. Particularly interesting is its strong coupling to the crystal lattice. The systematic comparison of different compounds may allow to identify key elements in the mechanism of superconductivity and provide guidelines for the search for new and better superconductors.