Role of Fermi surface for the pressure-tuned nematic transition in the BaFe$_2$As$_2$ family

Abstract

The tetragonal-to-orthorhombic phase transition at $T_s$, which precedes the antiferromagnetic phase transition at $T_N$ in many iron-based superconductors, is considered as one of the manifestations of electronic \textit{nematic} order. By constructing temperature-pressure phase diagrams of pure and Co-doped BaFe$_2$As$_2$, we study the relation of $T_s$ and $T_N$ under pressure $p$. Our data disclose two qualitatively different regimes in which $\Delta T\,=\,T_s-T_N$ either increases or decreases with $p$. We provide experimental evidence that the transition between the two regimes may be associated with sudden changes of the Fermi surface topology. Therefore, our results not only support the electronic origin of the structural order, but also emphasize the importance of details of the Fermi surface for the evolution of nematic order under pressure.