Thermoelectric power and Hall coefficient measurements on Ba(Fe(1-x)TMx)2As2 (TM = Co and Cu)

Abstract

Temperature dependent thermoelectric power (TEP) data on Ba(Fe1-xTMx)2As2 (TM = Co and Cu), complemented by the Hall coefficient data on the samples from the same batches, have been measured. For Co-doping we clearly see a change in the temperature dependent TEP and Hall coefficient data when the sample is doped to sufficient $e$ (the number of extra electrons associated with the TM doping) so as to stabilize low temperature superconductivity. Remarkably, a similar change is found in the Cu-doped samples at comparable e-value, even though these compounds do not superconduct. These changes possibly point to a significant modification of the Fermi surface / band structure of Ba(Fe1-xTM_x)2As2 at small electron doping, that in the case of Co-doping is just before, and probably allows for, the onset of superconductivity. These data further suggest that suppression of the structural / magnetic phase transition and the establishment of a proper e-value are each necessary but, individually, not sufficient conditions for superconductivity.