Hedgehog Spin-vortex Crystal Antiferromagnetic Quantum Criticality in CaK(Fe1-xNix)4As4 Revealed by NMR

TL;DR

This study uses NMR to reveal that CaK(Fe$_{1-x}$Ni$_x$)$_4$As$_4$ is near a hedgehog spin-vortex crystal antiferromagnetic quantum critical point, providing insights into the link between spin fluctuations and superconductivity without nematic effects.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of a magnetic quantum critical point in CaK(Fe$_{1-x}$Ni$_x$)$_4$As$_4$ without nematic order, offering a clean system to study spin fluctuations and superconductivity.

Findings

CaKFe$_4$As$_4$ is close to a hidden AFM quantum-critical point.

The magnetic QCP occurs without nematic order.

CaKFe$_4$As$_4$ is an ideal platform for studying magnetic QCP and superconductivity.

Abstract

Two ordering states, antiferromagnetism and nematicity, have been observed in most iron-based superconductors (SCs). In contrast to those SCs, the newly discovered SC CaK(Fe$_{1-x}$Ni$_x$)$_4$As$_4$ exhibits an antiferromagnetic (AFM) state, called hedgehog spin-vortex crystal structure, without nematic order, providing the opportunity for the investigation into the relationship between spin fluctuations and SC without any effects of nematic fluctuations. Our $^{75}$As nuclear magnetic resonance studies on CaK(Fe$_{1-x}$Ni$_x$)$_4$As$_4$ (0$\le x\le$ 0.049) revealed that CaKFe$_4$As$_4$ is located close to a hidden hedgehog SVC AFM quantum-critical point (QCP). The magnetic QCP without nematicity in CaK(Fe$_{1-x}$Ni$_x$)$_4$As$_4$ highlights the close connection of spin fluctuations and superconductivity in iron-based SCs. The advantage of stoichiometric composition also makes CaKFe$_4$As$_4$ an ideal platform for further detailed investigation of the relationship between magnetic QCP and superconductivity in iron-based SCs without disorder effects.