Neutron spin resonance as a probe of the superconducting energy gap of BaFe1.9Ni0.1As2 superconductors

We use inelastic neutron scattering to show that for the optimally electron-doped BaFe1.9Ni0.1As2 (T-c = 20 K) iron arsenide superconductor, application of a magnetic field that partially suppresses the superconductivity and superconducting gap energy also reduces the intensity and energy of the resonance. These results demonstrate that the energy of the resonance is intimately connected to the electron pairing energy, and thus indicate that the mode is a direct probe for measuring electron pairing and superconductivity in iron arsenides.