Quasiparticle Dynamics and Phonon Softening in FeSe Superconductors

Quasiparticle dynamics of FeSe single crystals revealed by dual-color transient reflectivity measurements (Delta R/R) provides unprecedented information on Fe-based superconductors. The amplitude of the fast component in Delta R/R clearly gives a competing scenario between spin fluctuations and superconductivity. Together with the transport measurements, the relaxation time analysis further exhibits anomalous changes at 90 and 230 K. The former manifests a structure phase transition as well as the associated phonon softening. The latter suggests a previously overlooked phase transition or crossover in FeSe. The electron-phonon coupling constant lambda is found to be 0.16, identical to the value of theoretical calculations. Such a small lambda demonstrates an unconventional origin of superconductivity in FeSe.