Why Does Undoped FeSe Become a High-Tc Superconductor under Pressure?

T. Imai, K. Ahilan, F. L. Ning, T. M. McQueen, and R. J. Cava
Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 177005 – Published 29 April 2009

Abstract

Unlike the parent phases of the iron-arsenide high-Tc superconductors, undoped FeSe is not magnetically ordered and exhibits superconductivity with Tc9K. Equally surprising is the fact that applied pressure dramatically enhances the modest Tc to 37K. We investigate the electronic properties of FeSe using Se77 NMR to search for the key to the superconducting mechanism. We demonstrate that the electronic properties of FeSe are very similar to those of electron-doped FeAs superconductors, and that antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations are strongly enhanced near Tc. Furthermore, applied pressure enhances spin fluctuations. Our findings suggest a link between spin fluctuations and the superconducting mechanism in FeSe.

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  • Received 22 February 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.177005

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

T. Imai1,2, K. Ahilan1, F. L. Ning1, T. M. McQueen3, and R. J. Cava3

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S4M1, Canada
  • 2Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Toronto, Ontario M5G1Z8, Canada
  • 3Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, New Jersey 08544, USA

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Issue

Vol. 102, Iss. 17 — 1 May 2009

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