In this paper, we investigate the quasiparticle scattering interference(QPI) in the nematic phase of iron pnictides, based on the magnetic and orbital scenarios of nematicity, respectively. In the spin density wave(SDW) state, the QPI pattern exhibits a dimer structure in the energy region of the SDW gap, with its orientation along the ferromagnetic direction of the SDW order. When the energy is increased to be near the Fermi level, it exhibits two sets of dimers along the same direction. The dimer structure of the QPI patterns persists in the magnetically driven nematic phase, although the two dimers tend to merge together with energies closing to the Fermi level. While in the orbital scenario, the QPI patterns exhibit a dimer structure in a wide energy region. It undergoes a π/2 rotation with the increasing of energy, which is associated with the inequivalent energies of the two Dirac nodes induced by the orbital order. These distinct features may be used to probe or distinguish two kinds of scenarios of the nematicity.
The antiferromagnetic correlation plays an important role in high-Tc superconductors. Considering this effect, the magnetic excitations in n-type cuprates near the optimal doping are studied within the spin-density-wave description. The magnetic excitations are commensurate in the low-energy regime and further develop into spin-wave-like dispersion at higher energy, consistent with the inelastic neutron scattering measurements. We clearly demonstrate that the commensurability originates from the band splitting and Fermi surface topology. The commensurability is a normal state property and has nothing to do with d-wave superconductivity. Our results strongly suggest the essential role of antiferromagnetic correlations in the cuprates.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.