In-gap quasiparticle excitations induced by non-magnetic Cu impurities in Na(Fe0.96Co0.03Cu0.01)As revealed by scanning tunnelling spectroscopy

Huan Yang, Zhenyu Wang, Delong Fang, Qiang Deng, Qiang-Hua Wang, Yuan-Yuan Xiang, Yang Yang and Hai-Hu Wen ()
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Huan Yang: Center for Superconducting Physics and Materials, National Center of Microstructures and Quantum Manipulation, Nanjing University
Zhenyu Wang: National Laboratory for Superconductivity, Institute of Physics and National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Delong Fang: Center for Superconducting Physics and Materials, National Center of Microstructures and Quantum Manipulation, Nanjing University
Qiang Deng: Center for Superconducting Physics and Materials, National Center of Microstructures and Quantum Manipulation, Nanjing University
Qiang-Hua Wang: Center for Superconducting Physics and Materials, National Center of Microstructures and Quantum Manipulation, Nanjing University
Yuan-Yuan Xiang: Center for Superconducting Physics and Materials, National Center of Microstructures and Quantum Manipulation, Nanjing University
Yang Yang: Center for Superconducting Physics and Materials, National Center of Microstructures and Quantum Manipulation, Nanjing University
Hai-Hu Wen: Center for Superconducting Physics and Materials, National Center of Microstructures and Quantum Manipulation, Nanjing University

Nature Communications, 2013, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract The origin of superconductivity in the iron pnictides remains unclear. One suggestion is that superconductivity in these materials has a magnetic origin, which would imply a sign-reversal s± pairing symmetry. Another suggests it is the result of orbital fluctuations, which would imply a sign-equal s++ pairing symmetry. There is no consensus yet which of these two distinct and contrasting pairing symmetries is the right one in iron pnictide superconductors. Here we explore the nature of the pairing symmetry in the superconducting state of Na(Fe0.97−xCo0.03Cux)As by probing the effect of scattering of Cooper pairs by non-magnetic Cu impurities. Using scanning tunnelling spectroscopy, we identify the in-gap quasiparticle states induced by the Cu impurities, showing signatures of Cooper pair breaking by these non-magnetic impurities–a process that is only consistent with s± pairing. This experiment provides strong evidence for the s± pairing.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3749

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