Nodal Superconductivity with Multiple Gaps in SmFeAsO${}_{0.9}$F${}_{0.1}$

Abstract

We report the observation of two gaps in the superconductor SmFeAsO${}_{0.9}$F${}_{0.1}$ (F-SmFeAsO) with $T_c=51.5K$ as measured by point-contact spectroscopy. Both gaps decrease with temperature and vanish at $T_c$ and the temperature dependence of the gaps are described by the theoretical prediction of the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory. A zero-bias conductance peak (ZBCP) was observed, indicating the presence of Andreev bound states at the surface of F-SmFeAsO. Our results strongly suggest an unconventional nodal superconductivity with multiple gaps in F-SmFeAsO.

5 pages, 5 figures