Order–disorder phase transition and elastic-to-plastic vortex creep crossover in a triclinic iron pnictide superconductor (Ca0.85 La0.15 )10 (Pt3 As8 )(Fe2As2 )5

Abstract

Vortex matter in layered high-Tc superconductors, including iron-pnictides, undergo several thermodynamic phase transitions due to the complex interplay of pinning energy, thermal energy and elastic energy. Moreover, the presence of anisotropy makes their vortex physics even more intriguing. Here, we report a detailed vortex dynamics study, using dc magnetization measurements, in a triclinic iron-pnictide superconductor (Ca0.85La0.15)10(Pt3As8)(Fe2As2)5, with a superconducting transition temperature, Tc∼ 31 K. A second magnetization peak (SMP) feature is observed for magnetic field perpendicular (H‖c) and parallel (H‖ab) to the crystal plane. However, its fundamental origin is quite different in both directions. For H‖c, the SMP can be well explained using an elastic-to-plastic vortex creep crossover, using collective creep theory. In addition, a possible rhombic-to-square vortex lattice phase transition is also observed for fields in between the onset-field and peak-field related to the SMP. On the other hand, for H‖ab, a clear signature of an order-disorder vortex phase transition is observed in the isothermal M(H) measurements at T≥ 6 K. The disordered phase exhibits the characteristics of entangled pinned vortex-liquid. We construct a comprehensive vortex phase diagram by displaying characteristic temperatures and magnetic fields for both crystal geometries in this unique superconducting compound. Our study sheds light on the intricate vortex dynamics and pinning in an iron-pnictide superconductor with triclinic symmetry.