High impact of spin-nematic order on the lattice domains in thin films of iron-based superconductors

Abstract

The spin-nematic scenario proposed for the structural instability of iron-based superconductors is studied theoretically within a Ginzburg-Landau approach in epitaxial thin films. The transition temperature and the domains that appear due the interface with the substrate are computed analytically by following a variatonal procedure. It is predicted a cross-over thickness $l_{\ast }$ that separates the Kittel regime, in which the size of the domains goes as the square root of the film thickness $l$, from a new ultrathin regime in which the system tends to reach the single-domain state as $l\to 0$. The experimental observation of this cross-over is therefore proposed as a direct probe of spin nematiciy.

4 pages, 3 figs

References in corpus (7)

• Evidence for an electron nematic phase transition in underdoped iron pnictide superconductors
• Theory of Electron Nematic Order in LaOFeAs
• Symmetry breaking orbital anisotropy on detwinned Ba(Fe1-xCox)2As2 above the spin density wave transition
• Ising and Spin orders in Iron-based Superconductors
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• Character of the structural and magnetic phase transitions in the parent and electron doped BaFe2As2 compounds
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Cited by in corpus (6)

• Manifestations of nematic degrees of freedom in the magnetic, elastic, and superconducting properties of the iron pnictides
• Charge Nematicity and Electronic Raman Scattering in Iron-based Superconductors
• Thin Film Growth and Device Fabrication of Iron-Based Superconductors
• Spin-orbital interplay and topology in the nematic phase of iron pnictides
• Electronic origin of structural transition in 122 Fe based superconductors
• High-field irreversible moment reorientation in the antiferromagnet Fe${}_{1.1}$Te