Electronic structure of the iron-based superconductor LaOFeP
The recent discovery of superconductivity in the iron oxypnictide family of compounds1?9 has generated intense interest. The layeredcrystal structure with transition-metal ions in planar square-lattice form and the discovery of spin-density-wave order near 130 K seem to hint at a strong similarity with the copper oxide superconductors. An important current issue is the nature ofthe ground state of the parent compounds. Two distinct classes of theories, distinguished by the underlying band structure, havebeen put forward: a local-moment antiferromagnetic ground state in the strong-coupling approach, and an itinerant ground statein the weak-coupling approach. The first approach stresses onsite correlations, proximity to a Mott-insulating state and, thus, the resemblance to the high-transition-temperature copper oxides, whereas the second approach emphasizes the itinerant-electronphysics and the interplay between the competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic fluctuations. The debate over the two approaches is partly due to the lack of conclusive experimental information on the electronic structures. Here wereport angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) of LaOFeP (superconducting transition temperature, Tc55.9 K),the first-reported iron-based superconductor. Our results favour the itinerant ground state, albeit with band renormalization. In addition, our data reveal important differences between these and copper-based superconductors.
- Research Organization:
- Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Advanced Light Source Division
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 1032518
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-4728E
- Journal Information:
- Nature, Journal Name: Nature Journal Issue: 81 Vol. 455
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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