Switching Magnetism and Superconductivity with Spin-Polarized Current in Iron-Based Superconductor

ORAL

Abstract

We have explored a new mechanism for switching magnetism and superconductivity in a magnetically frustrated iron-based superconductor using spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy (SPSTM). Our SPSTM study on single crystal Sr2VO3FeAs shows that a spin-polarized tunneling current can switch the Fe-layer magnetism into a non-trivial C4 (2×2) order, which cannot be achieved by thermal excitation with unpolarized current. Our tunneling spectroscopy study shows that the induced C4 (2×2) order has characteristics of plaquette antiferromagnetic order in the Fe layer and strongly suppresses superconductivity. Also, thermal agitation beyond the bulk Fe spin ordering temperature erases the C4 state. These results suggest a new possibility of switching local superconductivity by changing the symmetry of magnetic order with spin-polarized and unpolarized tunneling currents in iron-based superconductors.

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Presenters

  • Seokhwan Choi

    Department of Physics, KAIST, Physics, KAIST

Authors

  • Seokhwan Choi

    Department of Physics, KAIST, Physics, KAIST

  • Hyoung Joon Choi

    Physics, Yonsei University, Department of Physics and Center for Computational Studies of Advanced Electronic Material Properties, Yonsei University, Physics, Yonsei Univ., Dept. of Physics, Yonsei University, Department of Physics, Yonsei University, Department of Physics, Center for Computational Studies of Advanced Electronic Material Properties, Yonsei University, Institute of Physics and Applied Physics, Yonsei University, Department of Physics, and Center for Computational Studies of Advanced Electronic Material Properties, Yonsei University

  • Jong Ok

    Physics, POSTECH, POSTECH, Department of Physics, POSTECH, Physics, Postech, Pohang University of Science and Technology

  • Yeonghoon Lee

    Physics, KAIST, Department of Physics, KAIST

  • Won-Jun Jang

    Center for Quantum Nanoscience, Institute for Basic Science, Center for Quantum Nanoscience, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Physics, Ewha W. Univ.

  • Alex Lee

    Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, Applied Physics, Columbia Univ.

  • Young Kuk

    Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University

  • SungBin Lee

    Physics, KAIST, Korea Adv Inst of Sci & Tech, Department of Physics, KAIST

  • Andreas Heinrich

    Center for Quantum Nanoscience, Institute for Basic Science, Ewha Womans University, Center for Quantum Nanoscience, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Physics, Ewha W. Univ.

  • Sang-Wook Cheong

    Rutgers University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Physics, Rutgers University, Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University, Rutgers Center for Emergent Materials and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers University, Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers Univ., Rutgers Univ, Physics, Rutgers Univesity, Department of Physics, Rutgers University, Physics and Astronomy, Rutgers Center for Emergent Materials, Department of Physics & Astronomy , Rutgers University

  • Yunkyu Bang

    Department of Physics, Chonnam National University, Physics, Chonnam Nat. Univ.

  • Steven Johnston

    Univ. of Tennessee, Univ of Tennessee, Physics, Univ of Tennessee, Knoxville, Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Tennessee, Physics, Univ. of Tennessee, physics and astronomy, University of Tennessee, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Univ of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • Jun Sung Kim

    Physics, POSTECH, Physics, Pohang Univ of Sci & Tech, POSTECH, Department of Physics, POSTECH, Physics, Postech, Department of Physics, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang University of Science and Technology

  • Jhinhwan Lee

    Physics, KAIST, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Department of Physics, KAIST