Abstract
Here we present a combined study of the slightly underdoped novel pnictide superconductor Ba1-xKxFe2As2 by means of x-ray powder diffraction, neutron scattering, muon-spin rotation (µSR), and magnetic force microscopy (MFM). Static antiferromagnetic order sets in below Tm70 K as inferred from the neutron scattering and zero-field-µSR data. Transverse-field µSR below Tc shows a coexistence of magnetically ordered and nonmagnetic states, which is also confirmed by MFM imaging. We explain such coexistence by electronic phase separation into antiferromagnetic and superconducting- or normal-state regions on a lateral scale of several tens of nanometers. Our findings indicate that such mesoscopic phase separation can be considered an intrinsic property of some iron pnictide superconductors.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Physical Review Letters |
Volume | 102 |
Issue number | 11 |
Pages (from-to) | 117006 |
ISSN | 0031-9007 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright (2009) by the American Physical Society.Keywords
- Materials research
- Superconducting materials for the energy sector