Raman scattering as a probe of nematic correlations

M. Khodas, A. Levchenko

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20 Scopus citations

Abstract

We use the symmetry-constrained low-energy effective Hamiltonian of iron-based superconductors to study the Raman scattering in the normal state of underdoped iron-based superconductors. The incoming and scattered Raman photons couple directly to orbital fluctuations and indirectly to the spin fluctuations. We computed both couplings within the same low-energy model. The symmetry-constrained Hamiltonian yields the coupling between the orbital and spin fluctuations of only the same symmetry type. Attraction in the B2g symmetry channel was assumed for the system to develop the subleading instability towards the discrete in-plane rotational symmetry breaking, referred to as Ising nematic transition. We find that upon approaching this instability, the Raman spectral function develops a quasielastic peak as a function of energy transferred by photons to the crystal. We attribute this low-energy B2g scattering to the critical slowdown associated with the buildup of nematic correlations.

Original languageEnglish
Article number235119
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume91
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - 11 Jun 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 American Physical Society.

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