Low energy spin waves and magnetic interactions in SrFe2As2

Jun Zhao, Dao Xin Yao, Shiliang Li, Tao Hong, Y. Chen, S. Chang, W. Ratcliff, J. W. Lynn, H. A. Mook, G. F. Chen, J. L. Luo, N. L. Wang, E. W. Carlson, Jiangping Hu, Pengcheng Dai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

159 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report inelastic neutron scattering studies of magnetic excitations in antiferromagnetically ordered SrFe2As2 (TN=200-220K), the parent compound of the FeAs-based superconductors. At low temperatures (T=7K), the magnetic spectrum S(Q, □ ω) consists of a Bragg peak at the elastic position (□ ω=0meV), a spin gap (Δ≤6.5meV), and sharp spin-wave excitations at higher energies. Based on the observed dispersion relation, we estimate the effective magnetic exchange coupling using a Heisenberg model. On warming across TN, the low-temperature spin gap rapidly closes, with weak critical scattering and spin-spin correlations in the paramagnetic state. The antiferromagnetic order in SrFe2As2 is therefore consistent with a first order phase transition, similar to the structural lattice distortion.

Original languageEnglish
Article number167203
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume101
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 14 2008

Funding

FundersFunder number
National Science Foundation
Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences0756568, 0603759

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Low energy spin waves and magnetic interactions in SrFe2As2'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this