Publication Date:
2016-04-02
Description:
Nature Physics 12, 311 (2016). doi:10.1038/nphys3594 Authors: S. V. Borisenko, D. V. Evtushinsky, Z.-H. Liu, I. Morozov, R. Kappenberger, S. Wurmehl, B. Büchner, A. N. Yaresko, T. K. Kim, M. Hoesch, T. Wolf & N. D. Zhigadlo Spin–orbit coupling is a fundamental interaction in solids that can induce a broad range of unusual physical properties, from topologically non-trivial insulating states to unconventional pairing in superconductors. In iron-based superconductors its role has, so far, not been considered of primary importance, with models based on spin- or orbital fluctuations pairing being used most widely. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we directly observe a sizeable spin–orbit splitting in all the main members of the iron-based superconductors. We demonstrate that its impact on the low-energy electronic structure and details of the Fermi surface topology is stronger than that of possible nematic ordering. The largest pairing gap is supported exactly by spin–orbit-coupling-induced Fermi surfaces, implying a direct relation between this interaction and the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity.
Print ISSN:
1745-2473
Electronic ISSN:
1745-2481
Topics:
Physics
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