Nanoscale phase separation in the iron chalcogenide superconductor K0.8Fe1.6Se2 as seen via scanning nanofocused x-ray diffraction

Advanced synchrotron radiation focusing down to a size of 300 nm has been used to visualize nanoscale phase separation in the K0.8Fe1.6Se2 superconducting system using scanning nanofocus single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The results show an intrinsic phase separation in K0.8Fe1.6Se2 single crystals...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2011-08
Main Authors: Ricci, A, Poccia, N, Campi, G, Joseph, B, Arrighetti, G, Barba, L, Reynolds, M, Burghammer, M, Takeya, H, Mizuguchi, Y, Takano, Y, Colapietro, M, Saini, N L, Bianconi, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Crystals
Diffraction
Domains
Iron
Lattice vacancies
Metals
Percolation
Phase separation
Single crystals
Spatial distribution
Superstructures
Synchrotron radiation
X-ray diffraction
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Summary:Advanced synchrotron radiation focusing down to a size of 300 nm has been used to visualize nanoscale phase separation in the K0.8Fe1.6Se2 superconducting system using scanning nanofocus single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The results show an intrinsic phase separation in K0.8Fe1.6Se2 single crystals at T< 520 K, revealing coexistence of i) a magnetic phase characterized by an expanded lattice with superstructures due to Fe vacancy ordering and ii) a non-magnetic phase with an in-plane compressed lattice. The spatial distribution of the two phases at 300 K shows a frustrated or arrested nature of the phase separation. The space-resolved imaging of the phase separation permitted us to provide a direct evidence of nanophase domains smaller than 300 nm and different micrometer-sized regions with percolating magnetic or nonmagnetic domains forming a multiscale complex network of the two phases.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.1107.0412