Spin-Orbit Coupling and Magnetic Anisotropy in Iron-Based Superconductors

Daniel D. Scherer and Brian M. Andersen
Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 037205 – Published 20 July 2018
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Abstract

We determine theoretically the effect of spin-orbit coupling on the magnetic excitation spectrum of itinerant multiorbital systems, with specific application to iron-based superconductors. Our microscopic model includes a realistic ten-band kinetic Hamiltonian, atomic spin-orbit coupling, and multiorbital Hubbard interactions. Our results highlight the remarkable variability of the resulting magnetic anisotropy despite constant spin-orbit coupling. At the same time, the magnetic anisotropy exhibits robust universal behavior upon changes in the band structure corresponding to different materials of iron-based superconductors. A natural explanation of the observed universality emerges when considering optimal nesting as a resonance phenomenon. Our theory is also of relevance to other itinerant systems with spin-orbit coupling and nesting tendencies in the band structure.

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  • Received 10 November 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.037205

© 2018 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Daniel D. Scherer* and Brian M. Andersen

  • Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Juliane Maries Vej 30, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark

  • *daniel.scherer@nbi.ku.dk
  • bma@nbi.ku.dk

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Issue

Vol. 121, Iss. 3 — 20 July 2018

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