ABSTRACT
The determination of the pairing symmetry is one of the most crucial issues for the iron-based superconductors, for which various scenarios are discussed controversially. Non-magnetic impurity substitution is one of the most promising approaches to address the issue, because the pair-breaking mechanism from the non-magnetic impurities should be different for various models. Previous substitution experiments demonstrated that the non-magnetic zinc can suppress the superconductivity of various iron-based superconductors. Here we demonstrate the local destruction of superconductivity by non-magnetic zinc impurities in Ba0.5K0.5Fe2As2 by exploring phase-slip phenomena in a mesoscopic structure with 119 × 102 nm(2) cross-section. The impurities suppress superconductivity in a three-dimensional 'Swiss cheese'-like pattern with in-plane and out-of-plane characteristic lengths slightly below â¼1.34 nm. This causes the superconducting order parameter to vary along abundant narrow channels with effective cross-section of a few square nanometres. The local destruction of superconductivity can be related to Cooper pair breaking by non-magnetic impurities.
ABSTRACT
5d and 3d hybrid solid-state oxide Ca2FeOsO6 crystallizes into an ordered double-perovskite structure with a space group of P21/n with high-pressures and temperatures. Ca2FeOsO6 presents a long-range ferrimagnetic transition at a temperature of ~320 K (T(c)) and is not a band insulator, but is electrically insulating like the recently discovered Sr2CrOsO6 (T(c) ~725 K). The electronic stat of Ca2FeOsO6 is adjacent to a half-metallic state as well as that of Sr2CrOsO6. In addition, the high-T(c) ferrimagnetism was driven by lattice distortion, which was observed for the first time among double-perovskite oxides and represents complex interplays between spins and orbitals. Unlike conventional ferrite and garnet, the interplays likely play a pivotal role of the ferrimagnetism. A new class of 5d-3d hybrid ferrimagnetic insulators with high-T(c) is established to develop practically and scientifically useful spintronic materials.
