Mossbauer spectroscopy evidence for the lack of iron magnetic moment in superconducting FeSe

Superconducting FeSe has been investigated by measurements of the magnetic susceptibility versus temperature and Mossbauer spectroscopy at various temperatures including strong external magnetic fields applied to the absorber. It was found that isomer shift exhibits sharply defined increase at about 105K leading to the lowering of the electron density on iron nucleus by 0.02 electron a.u.(-3). Above jump in the electron density is correlated with the transition from the P4/nmm to the Cmma structure, while decreasing temperature. Mossbauer measurements in the external magnetic field and for temperatures below transition to the superconducting state revealed null magnetic moment on iron atoms. Hence, the compound exhibits either Pauli paramagnetism or diamagnetic behavior. The principal component of the electric field gradient on the iron nucleus was found as negative on the iron site. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.