Superconducting and Ferromagnetic Phases Induced by Lattice Distortions in Stoichiometric SrFe2As2 Single Crystals

S. R. Saha, N. P. Butch, K. Kirshenbaum, Johnpierre Paglione, and P. Y. Zavalij
Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 037005 – Published 17 July 2009

Abstract

Single crystals of SrFe2As2 grown using a self-flux solution method were characterized via x-ray, transport, and magnetization studies, revealing a superconducting phase below Tc=21K characterized by a full electrical resistivity transition and partial diamagnetic screening. The reversible destruction and reinstatement of this phase by heat treatment and mechanical deformation studies, along with single-crystal x-ray diffraction measurements, indicate that internal crystallographic strain originating from c-axis-oriented planar defects plays a central role in promoting the appearance of superconductivity under ambient-pressure conditions in 90% of as-grown crystals. The appearance of a ferromagnetic moment with magnitude proportional to the tunable superconducting volume fraction suggests that these phenomena are both stabilized by lattice distortion.

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  • Received 26 November 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.103.037005

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

S. R. Saha, N. P. Butch, K. Kirshenbaum, and Johnpierre Paglione*

  • Center for Nanophysics and Advanced Materials, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA

P. Y. Zavalij

  • Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA

  • *paglione@umd.edu

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Issue

Vol. 103, Iss. 3 — 17 July 2009

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