Interplay between superconductivity and antiferromagnetism in some iron-pnictide single crystals studied by ${}^{57}$Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy

Abstract

We have performed detailed ${}^{57}$Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements on Ba${}_{0.78}$K${}_{0.22}$Fe${}_2$As${}_2$ and BaFe${}_{2-x}$Ni${}_x$As${}_2$ single crystal mosaics showing antiferromagnetic ordering below $T_N$ with superconductivity below $T_C$. Analysis of the Mössbauer spectra shows a decrease in the magnetic hyperfine (hf) field but no change in the magnetic volume fraction below $T_C$. This clearly indicates the coexistence of magnetism and superconductivity in these compounds. The decrease in the magnetic hf field below $T_C$ depends on the difference between $T_N$ and $T_C$, being the largest for $T_N$ close to $T_C$. Two different explanations for this observation are given. We also find that the non-magnetic volume fraction below $T_N$ correlates with the Ni doping $x$, being large for high $T_C$ and small for high $T_N$.