FeSe Bandmap (IMAGE)
Caption
This band structure map for a single crystal of iron selenide is akin to a road map that describes how traffic rules change for electrons as the material cools and the crystal lattice changes shape, becoming elongated in one direction. The same data are represented in the top and bottom panels. The blue areas (top) show where electrons can travel as they traverse the energy landscape in iron selenide that's been cooled near the point of superconductivity. Paths to the left of center are at right angles to the paths right of center. Thanks to nematicity, the allowable paths for electrons are different in the two directions. Colored lines (bottom) show the paths of electrons in different orbitals. Superconductivity in iron selenide is associated with this "symmetry-broken" state, and mapping the electronic structure of the state could lead to improved theoretical understanding of the phenomenon.
Credit
Image courtesy of M. Yi/Rice University
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Must credit: M. Yi/Rice University
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