Superconductivity in pressurized Rb0.8Fe2−ySe2−xTex

Abstract

We report the finding of pressure-induced elimination and reemergence of superconductivity in Rb _0.8 Fe _2− _y Se _2− _x Te _x ( x = 0, 0.19 and 0.28) superconductors that belong to the family of A-245 superconductors (A = K, Rb, TlRb and Cs), characterized by the presence of an antiferromagnetic (AFM) long-ranged order phase with the superlattice structure of Fe-cavacies. In this study, we investigate the connections between superlattice, AFM phase and superconductivity via the combined approaches of Te doping and application of external pressure. Our data reveal that the superconductivity of the ambient-pressure superconducting phase (SC-I) and the AFM long-ranged order as well as the superconductivity of the pressure-induced phase (SC-II) in the host samples can be synchronously tuned by Te doping. At x = 0.4, the SC-I and AFM long-range ordered phases as well as the SC-II phase disappear together, indicating that the two superconducting phases have intrinsic connections with the AFM phase. Furthermore, in-situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction measurements indicate that the superlattice structure in the x = 0.4 sample still exists at ambient pressure, but collapses at the same pressure where the superlattice of the superconducting samples is destructed. These results provide new insight into understanding the physics of this type of superconductors.

Keywords

• alkaline iron selenide superconductor
• superconducting phase diagram
• pressure effect
• 74.70.Xa
• 74.25.Dw
• 74.62.Fj