Andreev spectroscopy of FeSe: Evidence for two-gap superconductivity

Abstract

Current-voltage characteristics (CVCs) of Andreev superconductor-constriction-superconductor (ScS) contacts in polycrystalline samples of FeSe with the critical temperature T C = (12 ± 1) K have been measured using the break-junction technique. In Sharvin-type nanocontacts, two sets of subharmonic gap structures were detected due to multiple Andreev reflections, indicating the existence of two nodeless superconducting gaps Δ L = (2.75 ± 0.3) meV and Δ S = (0.8 ± 0.2) meV. Well-shaped CVCs for stacks of Andreev contacts with up to five contacts were observed due to the layered structure of FeSe (the intrinsic multiple Andreev reflections effect). An additional fine structure in the CVCs of Andreev ScS nanocontacts is attributed to the existence of a Leggett mode. A linear relation between the superconducting gap Δ L and the magnetic resonance energy E magres ≈ 2Δ L is found to be valid for layered iron pnictides.