Nanoscale chemical phase separation in FeTe0.55Se0.45 as seen via scanning tunneling spectroscopy
- Louisiana State University
- ORNL
Atomically resolved structural and electronic properties of FeTe{sub 1-x}Se{sub x} (x = 0 and 0.45) have been studied with scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS). In contrast to the extreme flatness of the Te-terminated FeTe surface, nanoscale chemical phase separation between Te and Se atoms is unambiguously revealed on the surface of FeTe{sub 0.55}Se{sub 0.45}. A statistical counting of the two kinds of atoms has the same ratio as that in the bulk. Remarkably, there is no electronic phase separation seen in the tunneling spectroscopy. This indicates that the optimally doped superconductor is chemically inhomogeneous but electronically homogeneous, in contrast to many correlated electron materials.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 1017388
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review B, Vol. 83, Issue 22; ISSN 1098--0121
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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