Incommensurate spin fluctuations in hole-overdoped superconductor KFe2As2

Abstract

A neutron scattering study of heavily hole-overdoped superconducting KFe$_2$As$_2$ revealed a well-defined low-energy incommensurate spin fluctuation at [$π(1\pm2δ$),0] with $δ$ = 0.16. The incommensurate structure differs from the previously observed commensurate peaks in electron-doped $A$Fe$_2$As$_2$ ($A$ = Ba, Ca, or Sr) at low energies. The direction of the peak splitting is perpendicular to that observed in Fe(Te,Se) or in Ba(Fe,Co)$_2$As$_2$ at high energies. A band structure calculation suggests interband scattering between bands around the $Γ$ and X points as an origin of this incommensurate peak. The perpendicular direction of the peak splitting can be understood within the framework of multiorbital band structure. The results suggest that spin fluctuation is more robust in hole-doped than in electron-doped samples, which can be responsible for the appearance of superconductivity in the heavily hole-doped samples.

4 pages, 4 figures