Spin dynamics in NaFeAs and NaFe$_{0.53}$Cu$_{0.47}$As probed by resonant inelastic X-ray scattering

TL;DR

This study investigates spin dynamics in NaFeAs and NaFe$_{0.53}$Cu$_{0.47}$As using resonant inelastic X-ray scattering, revealing localized magnetic moments and quasi-one-dimensional spin excitations, shedding light on electronic correlations in iron-based superconductors.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed comparison of spin excitations in parent and Cu-doped compounds, highlighting the localized nature of magnetism in the doped material.

Findings

Spin waves are underdamped and dispersive in both compounds.

NaFe$_{0.53}$Cu$_{0.47}$As exhibits quasi-one-dimensional spin excitation dispersion.

Spin excitations in the doped compound are slightly softened with increased spectral weight.

Abstract

The parent compounds of iron-based superconductors are magnetically-ordered bad metals, with superconductivity appearing near a putative magnetic quantum critical point. The presence of both Hubbard repulsion and Hund's coupling leads to rich physics in these multiorbital systems, and motivated descriptions of magnetism in terms of itinerant electrons or localized spins. The NaFe$_{1-x}$Cu$_x$As series consists of magnetically-ordered bad metal ($x=0$), superconducting ($x\approx0.02$) and magnetically-ordered semiconducing/insulating ($x\approx0.5$) phases, providing a platform to investigate the connection between superconductivity, magnetism and electronic correlations. Here we use X-ray absorption spectroscopy and resonant inelastic X-ray scattering to study the valence state of Fe and spin dynamics in two NaFe$_{1-x}$Cu$_x$As compounds ($x=0$ and 0.47). We find that magnetism in both compounds arises from Fe$^{2+}$ atoms, and exhibits underdamped dispersive spin waves in their respective ordered states. The dispersion of spin excitations in NaFe$_{0.53}$Cu$_{0.47}$As is consistent with being quasi-one-dimensional. Compared to NaFeAs, the band top of spin waves in NaFe$_{0.53}$Cu$_{0.47}$As is slightly softened with significantly more spectral weight of the spin excitations. Our results indicate the spin dynamics in NaFe$_{0.53}$Cu$_{0.47}$As arise from localized magnetic moments and suggest the iron-based superconductors are proximate to a correlated insulating state with localized iron moments.