Universal $\sqrt{2}\times \sqrt{2}$ structure and short-range charge order at the surfaces of BaFe${}_{2-x}$Co${}_x$As${}_2$ compounds with various Co doping levels

Abstract

The structure and electronic order at the cleaved (001) surfaces of the newly-discovered pnictide superconductors BaFe${}_{2-x}$Co${}_x$As${}_2$ with x ranging from 0 to 0.32 are systematically investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. A $\sqrt{2}\times \sqrt{2}$ surface structure is revealed for all the compounds, and is identified to be Ba layer with half Ba atoms lifted-off by combination with theoretical simulation. A universal short-range charge order is observed at this $\sqrt{2}\times \sqrt{2}$ surface associated with an energy gap of about 30 meV for all the compounds.