Intrinsic pinning on structural domains in underdoped single crystals of Ba(Fe1xCox)2As2

R. Prozorov, M. A. Tanatar, N. Ni, A. Kreyssig, S. Nandi, S. L. Bud’ko, A. I. Goldman, and P. C. Canfield
Phys. Rev. B 80, 174517 – Published 18 November 2009

Abstract

Critical current density was studied in single crystals of Ba(Fe1xCox)2As2 for the values of x spanning the entire doping phase diagram. A noticeable enhancement was found for slightly underdoped crystals with the peak at x=0.058. Using a combination of polarized-light imaging, x-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements we associate this behavior with the intrinsic pinning on structural domains in the orthorhombic phase. Domain walls extend throughout the sample thickness in the direction of vortices and act as extended pinning centers. With the increasing x domain structure becomes more intertwined and fine due to a decrease in the orthorhombic distortion. This results in the energy landscape with mazelike spatial modulations favorable for pinning. This finding shows that iron-based pnictide superconductors, characterized by high values of the transition temperature, high upper critical fields, and low anisotropy may intrinsically have relatively high critical current densities.

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  • Received 22 September 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.80.174517

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

R. Prozorov1,2,*, M. A. Tanatar1, N. Ni1,2, A. Kreyssig1, S. Nandi1, S. L. Bud’ko1,2, A. I. Goldman1,2, and P. C. Canfield1,2

  • 1Ames Laboratory, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA
  • 2Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA

  • *Corresponding author; prozorov@ameslab.gov

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Vol. 80, Iss. 17 — 1 November 2009

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