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Spin correlations in the nematic quantum disordered state of FeSe

Author

Listed:
  • Ruixian Liu

    (Beijing Normal University
    Ministry of Education)

  • Matthew B. Stone

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • Shang Gao

    (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

  • Mitsutaka Nakamura

    (Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), Tokai)

  • Kazuya Kamazawa

    (Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society, Tokai)

  • Aleksandra Krajewska

    (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, STFC, Chilton
    Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research)

  • Helen C. Walker

    (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, STFC, Chilton)

  • Peng Cheng

    (Renmin University of China
    Renmin University of China)

  • Rong Yu

    (Renmin University of China
    Renmin University of China)

  • Qimiao Si

    (Rice University)

  • Pengcheng Dai

    (Rice University)

  • Xingye Lu

    (Beijing Normal University
    Ministry of Education)

Abstract

The quantum-disordered state in FeSe, intertwined with superconductivity and nematicity, has been a research focus in iron-based superconductors. However, the intrinsic spin excitations across the entire Brillouin zone in detwinned FeSe, crucial for understanding its magnetism and superconductivity, have remained unresolved. Using inelastic neutron scattering, we reveal that stripe spin excitations (Q = (1, 0)/(0, 1)) exhibit the C2 symmetry, while Néel spin excitations (Q = (1, 1)) retain C4 symmetry within the nematic state. Temperature-dependent differences between Q = (1, 0) and (0, 1) spin excitations above the structural transition unambiguously reveals the nematic quantum disordered state. Comparison with NaFeAs suggests the Néel excitations originate from enhanced 3dxy orbital correlations. Modeling the stripe dispersions using a J1-K-J2 Heisenberg Hamiltonian, we establish a spin-interaction phase diagram, positioning FeSe near a crossover regime between the antiferroquadrupolar, Néel, and stripe orders. Our results provide key insights into the microscopic spin interactions and their role in the intertwined orders in iron-based superconductors.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruixian Liu & Matthew B. Stone & Shang Gao & Mitsutaka Nakamura & Kazuya Kamazawa & Aleksandra Krajewska & Helen C. Walker & Peng Cheng & Rong Yu & Qimiao Si & Pengcheng Dai & Xingye Lu, 2025. "Spin correlations in the nematic quantum disordered state of FeSe," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60071-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60071-2
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