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arXiv · 2109.12522

Superconducting gap and pseudogap in the surface states of the iron-based superconductor PrFeAsO$_{1-y}$ studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

Abstract

In order to study the possible superconductivity at the polar surfaces of 1111-type iron-based superconductors, which is doped with a large amount of holes in spite of the electron doping in bulk materials, we have performed angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) studies on superconducting PrFeAsO$_{1-y}$~crystals. We have indeed observed the opening of a superconducting gap on surface-derived hole pockets as well as on a bulk-derived hole pocket. The superconducting gap is found to open on the surface-derived hole pockets below the bulk $T_c$, which suggests that the surface superconductivity is possibly induced by proximity effect from the bulk. We have also observed the opening of a large pseudogap on the surface-derived hole pockets, which is similar to the pseudogap in 122-type bulk superconductors doped with a smaller amount of holes. This suggests that the opening of a large pseudogap is a characteristic property of hole-doped iron-based superconductors.

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K. Hagiwara, M. Ishikado, M. Horio, K. Koshiishi, S. Nakata, S. Ideta, K. Tanaka, K. Horiba, K. Ono, H. Kumigashira, T. Yoshida, S. Ishida, H. Eisaki, S. Shamoto, A. Fujimori. 2021-09-26. Superconducting gap and pseudogap in the surface states of the iron-based superconductor PrFeAsO$_{1-y}$ studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevresearch.3.043151

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