Investigation of the electronic properties of iron-based superconductors with focus on the interaction of superconducting and magnetic order parameters in the coexistence phase

• Applicant: Dr. Philipp Materne
• Subject Area: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2016 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 328852140

Room temperature superconductivity is one major objective of current science. These superconductor would conduct the electrical current without any resistance. To reach this goal, a comprehensive understanding of (unconventional) superconductivity is necessary. It is known for 40 years now that superconductivity and magnetism are closely related. In this project the interaction of both phenomena will be theoretically and experimentally investigated. Experiments using local probe methods will be conducted on iron-based superconductors to determine the electronic properties on a nanoscopic length scale. In particular, muon spin relaxation and Moessbauer spectroscopy experiments will be conducted. The iron-based superconductors taking the closeness of both phenomena to its extremes as the same electrons are superconducting and magnetically ordered. By applying high pressures the interaction of both electronic states can be probed. These interaction is theoretically described. This will be done by using wave function methods as well as by microscopic calculations. The combination of theoretical and experimental investigations will enhance the knowledge about the origin and properties of the superconductivity in the iron-based superconductors. These knowledge can be used to describe other unconventionell superconductors to take a step forward to a general understanding of superconductivity which will hopefully result in a romm temperature superconductor in the future.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Hosts: Dr. Ercan Esen Alp; Dr. Michael Hu