Local orthorhombic lattice distortions in the paramagnetic tetragonal phase of superconducting NaFe${}_{1-x}$Ni${}_x$As

Abstract

Understanding the interplay between nematicity, magnetism and superconductivity is pivotal for elucidating the physics of iron-based superconductors. Here we use neutron scattering to probe magnetic and nematic orders throughout the phase diagram of NaFe${}_{1-x}$Ni${}_x$As, finding that while both static antiferromagnetic and nematic orders compete with superconductivity, the onset temperatures for these two orders remain well-separated approaching the putative quantum critical points. We uncover local orthorhombic distortions that persist well above the tetragonal-to-orthorhombic structural transition temperature $T_{\mathrm{s}}$ in underdoped samples and extend well into the overdoped regime that exhibits neither magnetic nor structural phase transitions. These unexpected local orthorhombic distortions display Curie-Weiss temperature dependence and become suppressed below the superconducting transition temperature $T_{\mathrm{c}}$, suggesting they result from a large nematic susceptibility near optimal superconductivity. Our results account for observations of rotational symmetry-breaking above $T_{\mathrm{s}}$, and attest to the presence of significant nematic fluctuations near optimal superconductivity.

arXiv commentSupplementary Information available upon request

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