Evolution of pairing symmetry in FeSe$_{1-x}$S$_x$ as probed by uniaxial-strain tuning of $T_c$

Abstract

In iron-based superconductors (FeSCs), the interplay between electronic nematicity and superconductivity is essential for understanding the exotic superconducting ground state. In the nematic regime, uniaxial-strain ($\varepsilon$) tuning of the superconducting transition temperature $T_c$ [$ΔT_c(\varepsilon)=α\varepsilon+β\varepsilon^2$] offers a unique approach to investigating the evolution of pairing symmetry if both $s$ and $d$ wave pairing instabilities are relevant. Here, we employ uniaxial strain to tune the $T_c$ of FeSe$_{1-x}$S$_x$, in which both nematicity and superconductivity undergo significant changes with doping. While $T_c$ is usually suppressed quadratically with $\varepsilon$ in optimally doped BaFe$_2$As$_2$, $ΔT_c(\varepsilon)$ in FeSe$_{1-x}$S$_x$ dominated by $ΔT_c(\varepsilon)=β\varepsilon^2$ changes its sign from $β$ < $0$ in FeSe to $β$ > $0$ in FeSe$_{1-x}$S$_x$ ($x\gtrsim0.10$), indicating an evolution of the pairing symmetry from an $s_{\pm}$ state towards an $s+d$ wave state. These findings highlight the $ΔT_c(\varepsilon)$ as a powerful probe for elucidating the superconducting pairing symmetry in the nematic regime of FeSCs and provide new insights into the evolution of pairing symmetry in FeSCs.