Widespread orthorhombic fluctuations in the (Sr,Na)Fe$_2$As$_2$ family of superconductors

TL;DR

This study reveals pervasive orthorhombic fluctuations indicative of nematicity in the local structure of Sr$_{1-x}$Na$_{x}$Fe$_2$As$_2$ superconductors, persisting across various doping levels and temperatures, including near optimal superconductivity.

Contribution

It provides detailed evidence of local orthorhombic distortions and nematic fluctuations across the phase diagram of a representative iron-based superconductor.

Findings

Nematic fluctuations are present up to high doping levels and temperatures.

Orthorhombic distortions occur in the local structure despite average tetragonal symmetry.

Fluctuations have a typical length scale of 1-3 nm.

Abstract

We report comprehensive pair distribution function measurements of the hole-doped iron-based superconductor system Sr$_{1-x}$Na$_{x}$Fe$_2$As$_2$. Structural refinements performed as a function of temperature and length scale reveal orthorhombic distortions of the instantaneous local structure across a large region of the phase diagram possessing average tetragonal symmetry, indicative of fluctuating nematicity. These nematic fluctuations are present up to high doping levels ($x \gtrsim 0.48$, near optimal superconductivity) and high temperatures (above room temperature for $x = 0$, decreasing to 150 K for $x = 0.48$), with a typical length scale of 1-3 nm. This work highlights the ubiquity of nematic fluctuations in a representative iron-based superconductor and provides important details about the evolution of these fluctuations across the phase diagram.