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Superconducting phase in : Critical role of intact FeSe layers
Phys. Rev. B 112, 014512 – Published 16 July, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/7zn4-dwvg
Abstract
Alkali metal intercalated iron selenide superconductors exhibit unique properties, such as the coexistence of superconductivity and antiferromagnetism, along with an iron-vacancy-order superstructure. However, due to microscopic phase separation, the relationship between these properties and superconductivity remains elusive. In this study, we have employed high-spatial-resolution magnetic force microscopy , Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy to identify and characterize the superconducting phase. Below the superconducting critical temperature , the striped regions exhibit a pronounced diamagnetic response, while the surrounding areas remain unaffected, providing direct evidence that the striped regions constitute the superconducting phase. and high-spatial-resolution Raman scattering results reveal a stoichiometry of in the striped regions, with a single Raman peak at . Temperature- and polarization-dependent Raman scattering spectra further show that, at low temperatures, this peak shifts to in the channel, while a new peak emerges at in the channel. The ratio in the stripe phase , along with the number, symmetry, and frequencies of the phonon modes, is consistent with the layers. These results indicate that the superconducting phase in the striped regions retains an approximately intact layer. Our findings underscore the critical role of the intact layer in -based superconductors and provide new insights into the mechanism of high- superconductivity.