[en] Using x-ray absorption and resonant inelastic x-ray scattering, charge dynamics at and near the Fe L edges is investigated in Fe pnictide materials, and contrasted tothat measured in other Fe compounds. It is shown that the XAS and RIXS spectra for 122 and 1111 Fe pnictides are each qualitatively similar to Fe metal. Cluster diagonalization, multiplet, and density-functional calculations show that Coulomb correlations are much smaller than in the cuprates, highlighting the role of Fe metallicity and strong covalency in these materials. Best agreement with experiment is obtained using Hubbard parameters U ∼< 2eV and J ∼ 0.8eV.

[en] NaFeAs recently observed superconductivity with the maximum T_c ∼ 25 K is investigated using first principles approach. We will address briefly the electronic structure and contrast other superconducting pnictides. This system shows strong two-dimensionality and reduction of flatness in the Fermi surfaces undermines tendencies of magnetic or charge instabilities. As observed in other superconducting pnictides, Q_M=(π,π,0) antiferromagnetic ordering, which has not been observed clearly yet in this compound, is energetically favored. However, contrast to other superconducting pnictides, the density of states in this ordering shows considerable electron-hole asymmetry, implying efficiency of hole-doping than electron-doping to enhance T_c.

[en] We examine phase transition of the spin density wave and π phase shifted superconductivity in the Fe pnictide superconductors. The phase diagram is described in the plane of the temperature T and the doping x with the combination of Ginzburg-Landau expansion of the free energy near the multi-critical temperature T_c and the self-consistent numerical iterations of the gap equations. The phase separation or coexistence is determined by computing the 4-th order terms of the free energy which is confirmed by the numerical calculations. We can show the phase coexistence when the spin density wave is incommensurate. And the first order phase transition is observed near the boundary between commensurate and incommensurate spin density wave.

[en] The recent discovery of superconductivity in non-cuprate compounds LOMAs (L=Rare Earth, M= transition metal) has triggered considerable research with the objective of understanding the mechanism of their superconductivity. We have investigated the correlation between pressure-induced (critical-pressure P_c = 6GPa) superconductivity, structural disorder and electronic structure of PrOFe_0._9Co_0_:_1As, employing synchrotron-based XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) and XANES (X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure). Pressure-dependent As K-edge XANES spectra were recorded at Hard X-ray Microprobe Beamline (P 06), Petra III (DESY). Symmetric cell, with 0.5mm perforated diamond on one side and 1 mm diamond on the other side was used for the measurements. Our XRD results demonstrate inflection in bond parameters at P_c. Independently, we observed significant broadening of XANES whiteline at P_c, reflecting electron de-localization. The implications of these findings and the correlation between XRD and XANES results are being investigated theoretically. (author)

[en] Point-contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy is applied to investigate the gap structure in iron pnictide single-crystal superconductors of the AFe₂As₂ (A = Ba, Sr) family ('Fe-122'). The observed point-contact junction conductance curves, G(V), can be divided into two categories: one where Andreev reflection is present for both (Ba_0.6K_0.4)Fe₂As₂ and Ba(Fe_0.9Co_0.1)₂As₂, and the other with a V^2/3 background conductance universally observed, extending even up to 100 meV for Sr_0.6Na_0.4Fe₂As₂ and Sr(Fe_0.9Co_0.1)₂As₂. The latter is also observed in point-contact junctions on the nonsuperconducting parent compound BaFe₂As₂ and superconducting (Ba_0.6K_0.4)Fe₂As₂ crystals. Mesoscopic phase-separated coexistence of magnetic and superconducting orders is considered to explain distinct behaviors in the superconducting samples. For Ba_0.6K_0.4Fe₂As₂, double peaks due to Andreev reflection with a strongly sloping background are frequently observed for point contacts on freshly cleaved c-axis surfaces. If normalized using a background baseline and analyzed using the Blonder-Tinkham-Klapwijk model, the data show a gap size of ∼ 3.0-4.0 meV with 2Δ₀/k_BT_c ∼ 2.0-2.6, consistent with the smaller gap size reported for the LnFeAsO family ('Fe-1111'). For the Ba(Fe_0.9Co_0.1)₂As₂, the G(V) curves typically display a zero-bias conductance peak.

[en] We study the dependence of the electronic structure of iron pnictides on the angle formed by the arsenic-iron bonds. Within a Slater-Koster tight binding model which captures the correct symmetry properties of the bands, we show that the density of states and the band structure are sensitive to the distortion of the tetrahedral environment of the iron atoms. This sensitivity is extremely strong in a two-orbital (d_xz, d_yz) model due to the formation of a flat band around the Fermi level. Inclusion of the d_xy orbital destroys the flat band while keeping considerable angle dependence in the band structure.

[en] We construct a two-leg ladder model of an Fe-pnictide superconductor and discuss its properties and relationship with the familiar two-leg cuprate model. Our results suggest that the underlying pairing mechanism for the Fe-pnictide superconductors is similar to that for the cuprates.

[en] Highlights: ► These compounds are characterized as narrow band gap semiconductors with a maximum gap (1.27 eV) for ZnGeAs₂. ► A good agreement of band gaps with experiments is obtained within mBJLDA formalism. ► The band gap decreases with the substitution of either one or both cations in reference compound, ZnGeAs₂. ► The ionic/covalent character for A-As/B-As bond has been described on the basis of electro-negativity difference of the atoms. ► The d-states of transition metal, Zn are localized deeper in valence band (E < 5 eV), showing no effective role to decide the magnitude of semiconducting band gap. - Abstract: The electronic properties of ABAs₂ (A = Zn, Cd; B = Ge, Sn) compounds have been investigated using WIEN2k implementation of full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FPLAPW) method with an aim to study the effect of changing local environment by substituting cation(s) with corresponding next group element in reference compound (ZnGeAs₂) on these properties. The exchange and correlation (XC) effects are taken into account by an orbital independent modified Becke–Johnson (mBJ) potential as coupled with Local Density Approximation (LDA) for these calculations. We predict a direct band gap in all these compounds and observe that the band gap decreases with the change of either one or both cations. The calculated band gaps are in better agreement with corresponding experimental ones as compared to other calculations. The electronic band structure is analyzed in terms of contributions from various electrons and the covalency of two bonds, Zn-As and Ge-As has been discussed with respect to substitutions.

[en] The synthesis and characterization of the new compositions LnRhAsO (Ln=Ce, Nd) and LnIrAsO (Ln=La, Ce, Nd) are reported. These compounds crystallize in the ZrCuSiAs type structure, isostructural to iron pnictide LnFeAsO materials. Upon substitution of Rh for Fe, both a and c lattice parameters increase relative to 3d transition metal compounds; however, when Ir is substituted for Rh the a-parameter decreases slightly while the c-parameter expands. The decrease in a lattice parameter corresponds to a short metal-metal distance in Ir compounds. CeRhAsO and CeIrAsO compositions show abrupt decreases in resistivity at 7 and 10 K, respectively, coinciding with a small shift in magnetization at the transition temperature. - Graphical abstract: LnIrAsO (Ln=La, Ce, Nd) and LnRhAsO (Ln=Ce, Rh) have been synthesized. These new transition metal oxypnictide compositions are isostructural to LaFeAsO. The 5d Ir compositions demonstrate a shorter metal-metal interaction than the 4d Rh compositions. Highlights: → LnIrAsO (Ln=La, Ce, Nd) and LnRhAsO (Ln=Ce, Nd) have been synthesized. → Ir compositions show a decreased a-parameter and increased c-parameter relative to Rh compositions. → All LnIrAsO and LnRhAsO compositions are metallic while CeIrAsO and CeRhAsO show a sudden drop in resistivity at 10 and 7 K, respectively.

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