Ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations and superconductivity in the hcp-phase of Fe

Abstract

High purity iron, which transforms into the hcp phase under pressure, has recently been reported to be superconducing in the pressure range 150-300 kBar [shim]. The electronic structure and the electron-phonon coupling ($λ_{ph}$) are calculated for hcp iron at different volumes. A parameter-free theory for calculating the coupling constants $λ_{sf}$ from ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin fluctuations is developed. The calculated $λ_{sf}$ are sufficiently large to explain superconductivity especially from FM fluctuations. The results indicate that superconductivity mediated by spin fluctuations is more likely than from electron-phonon interaction.