Quantum Spin Liquid Intertwining Nematic and Superconducting Order in Fese

Observation of an electronic order along [110] direction in FeSe

Multiple ordered states have been observed in unconventional superconductors. Here, we apply scanning tunneling microscopy to probe the intrinsic ordered states in FeSe, the structurally simplest iron-based superconductor. Besides the well-known nematic order along [100] direction, we observe a checkerboard charge order in the iron lattice, which we name a [110] electronic order in FeSe. The [110] electronic order is robust at 77 K, accompanied with the rather weak [100] nematic order. At 4.5 K, The [100] nematic order is enhanced, while the [110] electronic order forms domains with reduced correlation length. In addition, the collective [110] order is gaped around [−40, 40] meV at 4.5 K. The observation of this exotic electronic order may shed new light on the origin of the ordered states in FeSe.

Understanding the relation of different electronic orders in high temperature superconductors is of fundamental interest. Here, the authors observe a checkerboard charge order along [110] direction of FeSe.

On the Remarkable Superconductivity of FeSe and Its Close Cousins

Emergent electronic phenomena in iron-based superconductors have been at the forefront of condensed matter physics for more than a decade. Much has been learned about the origins and intertwined roles of ordered phases, including nematicity, magnetism, and superconductivity, in this fascinating class of materials. In recent years, focus has been centered on the peculiar and highly unusual properties of FeSe and its close cousins. This family of materials has attracted considerable attention due to the discovery of unexpected superconducting gap structures, a wide range of superconducting critical temperatures, and evidence for nontrivial band topology, including associated spin-helical surface states and vortex-induced Majorana bound states. Here, we review superconductivity in iron chalcogenide superconductors, including bulk FeSe, doped bulk FeSe, FeTe1−xSex, intercalated FeSe materials, and monolayer FeSe and FeTe1−xSex on SrTiO3. We focus on the superconducting properties, including a survey of the relevant experimental studies, and a discussion of the different proposed theoretical pairing scenarios. In the last part of the paper, we review the growing recent evidence for nontrivial topological effects in FeSe-related materials, focusing again on interesting implications for superconductivity.

Visualization of Local Magnetic Moments Emerging from Impurities in Hund's Metal States of FeSe

Understanding the origin of the magnetism of high temperature superconductors is crucial for establishing their unconventional pairing mechanism. Recently, theory predicts that FeSe is close to a magnetic quantum critical point, and thus weak perturbations such as impurities could induce local magnetic moments. To elucidate such quantum instability, we have employed scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. In particular, we have grown FeSe film on superconducting Pb(111) using molecular beam epitaxy and investigated magnetic excitation caused by impurities in the proximity-induced superconducting gap of FeSe. Our study provides deep insight into the origin of the magnetic ordering of FeSe by showing the way local magnetic moments develop in response to impurities near the magnetic quantum critical point.

Anisotropic spin fluctuations in detwinned FeSe

Superconductivity in FeSe emerges from a nematic phase that breaks four-fold rotational symmetry in the iron plane. This phase may arise from orbital ordering, spin fluctuations or hidden magnetic quadrupolar order. Here we use inelastic neutron scattering on a mosaic of single crystals of FeSe, detwinned by mounting on a BaFe2As2 substrate to demonstrate that spin excitations are most intense at the antiferromagnetic wave vectors QAF = (±1, 0) at low energies E = 6-11 meV in the normal state. This two-fold (C2) anisotropy is reduced at lower energies, 3-5 meV, indicating a gapped four-fold (C4) mode. In the superconducting state, however, the strong nematic anisotropy is again reflected in the spin resonance (E = 3.6 meV) at QAF with incommensurate scattering around 5-6 meV. Our results highlight the extreme electronic anisotropy of the nematic phase of FeSe and are consistent with a highly anisotropic superconducting gap driven by spin fluctuations.