NMR Study of the New Magnetic Superconductor CaK(Fe$0.951Ni0.049)4As4: Microscopic Coexistence of Hedgehog Spin-vortex Crystal and Superconductivity

TL;DR

This study uses NMR to reveal the microscopic coexistence of a novel hedgehog spin-vortex crystal magnetic order and superconductivity in CaK(Fe,Ni)4As4, highlighting the role of spin correlations in superconductivity.

Contribution

First direct NMR evidence of hedgehog spin-vortex crystal order coexisting with superconductivity in a new magnetic superconductor.

Findings

Hedgehog SVC order observed below 52 K.

Superconductivity appears below 10 K with microscopic coexistence.

Spin correlations are enhanced below 150 K, influencing superconductivity.

Abstract

Coexistence of a new-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) state, the so-called hedgehog spin-vortex crystal (SVC), and superconductivity (SC) is evidenced by $^{75}$As nuclear magnetic resonance study on single-crystalline CaK(Fe$_{0.951}$Ni$_{0.049}$)$_4$As$_4$. The hedgehog SVC order is clearly demonstrated by the direct observation of the internal magnetic induction along the $c$ axis at the As1 site (close to K) and a zero net internal magnetic induction at the As2 site (close to Ca) below an AFM ordering temperature $T_{\rm N}$ $\sim$ 52 K. The nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/$T_1$ shows a distinct decrease below $T_{\rm c}$ $\sim$ 10 K, providing also unambiguous evidence for the microscopic coexistence. Furthermore, based on the analysis of the 1/$T_1$ data, the hedgehog SVC-type spin correlations are found to be enhanced below $T$ $\sim$ 150 K in the paramagnetic state. These results indicate the hedgehog SVC-type spin correlations play an important role for the appearance of SC in the new magnetic superconductor.