Microscopic evidence for Fulde-Ferrel-Larkin-Ovchinnikov state and multiband effects in KFe$_2$As$_2$

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Main Authors: Liu, X. Y., Kao, Z., Luo, J., Yang, J., Fang, A. F., Zhao, J., Zhou, R., Zheng, Guo-qing
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Liu, X. Y.
Kao, Z.
Luo, J.
Yang, J.
Fang, A. F.
Zhao, J.
Zhou, R.
Zheng, Guo-qing
author_facet Liu, X. Y.
Kao, Z.
Luo, J.
Yang, J.
Fang, A. F.
Zhao, J.
Zhou, R.
Zheng, Guo-qing
contents The Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state is a superconducting phase characterized by broken translational-symmetry, where Cooper pairs form with non-zero momentum between Zeeman-split Fermi surfaces. This state is highly sensitive to band structure and pairing symmetry. In multiband superconductors, the FFLO state can significantly deviate from its standard form, but experimental verification has remained challenging. Here, we present $^{75}$As nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on the multiband superconductor KFe$_2$As$_2$. In the low-temperature, high-magnetic-field region above the upper critical field $B_{c2}$, we observe a clear increase in the second moment of the NMR spectrum, along with a strong enhancement in the spin-lattice relaxation rate divided by temperature 1/$T_1$$T$. These results indicate an emergence of superconducting spin smecticity and Andreev bound states from the spatially modulation of the superconducting gap, providing microscopic evidence for the FFLO state. The obtained phase diagram reveals a distinct boundary line between the FFLO and homogenous superconducting (HSC) states with a low critical temperature of the FFLO state $T^\ast \approx 0.2 T_c$, which can be attributed to the multiband effects in KFe$_2$As$_2$. Our results show that the iron-based superconductors are a good material platform for studying the FFLO state and highlight the importance of the multiband effects on this exotic phase.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_00865
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Microscopic evidence for Fulde-Ferrel-Larkin-Ovchinnikov state and multiband effects in KFe$_2$As$_2$
Liu, X. Y.
Kao, Z.
Luo, J.
Yang, J.
Fang, A. F.
Zhao, J.
Zhou, R.
Zheng, Guo-qing
Superconductivity
Strongly Correlated Electrons
The Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state is a superconducting phase characterized by broken translational-symmetry, where Cooper pairs form with non-zero momentum between Zeeman-split Fermi surfaces. This state is highly sensitive to band structure and pairing symmetry. In multiband superconductors, the FFLO state can significantly deviate from its standard form, but experimental verification has remained challenging. Here, we present $^{75}$As nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on the multiband superconductor KFe$_2$As$_2$. In the low-temperature, high-magnetic-field region above the upper critical field $B_{c2}$, we observe a clear increase in the second moment of the NMR spectrum, along with a strong enhancement in the spin-lattice relaxation rate divided by temperature 1/$T_1$$T$. These results indicate an emergence of superconducting spin smecticity and Andreev bound states from the spatially modulation of the superconducting gap, providing microscopic evidence for the FFLO state. The obtained phase diagram reveals a distinct boundary line between the FFLO and homogenous superconducting (HSC) states with a low critical temperature of the FFLO state $T^\ast \approx 0.2 T_c$, which can be attributed to the multiband effects in KFe$_2$As$_2$. Our results show that the iron-based superconductors are a good material platform for studying the FFLO state and highlight the importance of the multiband effects on this exotic phase.
title Microscopic evidence for Fulde-Ferrel-Larkin-Ovchinnikov state and multiband effects in KFe$_2$As$_2$
topic Superconductivity
Strongly Correlated Electrons
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.00865