Microstructure and structural phase transitions in iron-based superconductors

doi:10.1088/1674-1056/22/8/087409

Abstract Crystal structures and microstructural features, such as structural phase transitions, defect structures, and chemical and structural inhomogeneities, are known to have profound effects on the physical properties of superconducting materials. Recently, many studies on the structural properties of Fe-based high-T_c superconductors have been published. This review article will mainly focus on the typical microstructural features in samples that have been well characterized by physical measurements. (i) Certain common structural features are discussed, in particular, the crystal structural features for different superconducting families, the local structural distortions in the Fe₂Pn₂ (Pn=P, As, Sb) or Fe₂Ch₂ (Ch=S, Se, Te) blocks, and the structural transformations in the 122 system. (ii) In FeTe(Se) (11 family), the superconductivity, chemical and structural inhomogeneities are investigated and discussed in correlation with superconductivity. (iii) In the K_0.8Fe_1,6+xSe₂ system, we focus on the typical compounds with emphasis on the Fe-vacancy order and phase separations. The microstructural features in other superconducting materials are also briefly discussed.

Keywords: Fe-based superconductor structural transition structural inhomogeneity phase separation

Received: 23 April 2013
Accepted manuscript online:

PACS:	74.70.Xa	(Pnictides and chalcogenides)
	61.05.J-	(Electron diffraction and scattering)
	61.50.Ks	(Crystallographic aspects of phase transformations; pressure effects)
	61.72.-y	(Defects and impurities in crystals; microstructure)

Fund: Project supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant Nos. 2011CBA00101, 2010CB923002, 2011CB921703, and 2012CB821404), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11274368, 51272277, 11074292, 11004229, and 11190022), and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Corresponding Authors: Li Jian-Qi
E-mail: LJQ@aphy.iphy.ac.cn

Cite this article:

Wang Zhen (王臻), Cai Yao (蔡瑶), Yang Huai-Xin (杨槐馨), Tian Huan-Fang (田焕芳), Wang Zhi-Wei (王秩伟), Ma Chao (马超), Chen Zhen (陈震), Li Jian-Qi (李建奇) Microstructure and structural phase transitions in iron-based superconductors 2013 Chin. Phys. B 22 087409

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