Crystals of FeSe0.88 and FeSeMn0.1 have been grown from KCl solutions. Crystals measuring 2−3 mm across and 0.1−0.3 mm thick grow with a hexagonal plate like habit. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements show strong peaks corresponding to the tetragonal α-FeSe phase and weak hexagonal β-FeSe peaks in both cases. The plate side of the crystal is identified to be the (101) face of the tetragonal α-FeSe. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic (EDS) measurements show that Mn substitutes for Fe. Both types of crystals show a superconducting transition at 8 K in the DC magnetization measurements and a broad resistive transition with zero resistance at 7.5 K with an onset at 11 K. Specific heat measurements also confirm bulk superconductivity in the crystals. Crystals could also be grown using KBr as a solvent.

We utilize steady-state and transient optical spectroscopies to examine the responses of nonthermal quasiparticles with respect to orbital modifications in normal-state iron-chalcogenide superconductors. The dynamics shows the emergence of gaplike quasiparticles (associated with a ~36 meV energy gap) with a coincident transfer of the optical spectral weight in the visible range, at temperatures above the structural distortion. Our observations suggest that opening of the high-temperature gap and the lattice symmetry breaking are possibly driven by short-range orbital and/or charge orders, implicating a close correlation between electronic nematicity and precursor order in iron-based superconductors.

Single crystals of Sr2HoRu1−xCuxO6 (with x=0–0.2), measuring 2–3mm across have been grown from PbO–PbF2 based solutions in the temperature range of 1250–1150°C. The crystals exhibit octahedral morphology and belong to the monoclinic space group P21∕n. While Sr2HoRuO6 is found to be antiferromagnetic with weak ferromagnetism below 30K, the solid solutions containing Cu exhibit a diamagnetic transition at 31K which increases in magnitude and temperature with increasing Cu. Through a correlation of magnetic and calorimetric properties, these crystals are concluded to be spin-glass superconductors.

Single crystals of Sr2YRu1‐xCuxO6 with x=0 and x=0.1 were grown using PbO‐PbF2 based solutions at different temperatures in the range 1150–1350°C. The influence of Pb from the solutions and the Cu from the solid solutions of Sr2YRu1‐xCuxO6 on the resulting crystals was studied using microstructure and magnetic property measurements. The peaks in the powder X‐ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra do not change in the case of x=0 crystals but shift in the presence of Cu. A diamagnetic transition indicative of superconductivity was observed in the presence of Cu and an antiferromagnetic behavior with x=0. Based on these results it is concluded that Pb may not be incorporated in the crystals and even if it does the influence is not observed. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)