Lattice dynamics in FeSe via inelastic X-ray scattering and first-principles calculations

Murai, Naoki  ; Fukuda, Tatsuo  ; Nakajima, Masamichi*; Kawamura, Mitsuaki*; Ishikawa, Daisuke*; Tajima, Setsuko*; Baron, A. Q. R.*

We report an inelastic X-ray scattering investigation of phonons in FeSe superconductor. Comparing the experimental phonon dispersion with density functional theory (DFT) calculations in the non-magnetic state, we found a significant disagreement between them. A better overall agreement was obtained by allowing for spin-polarization in DFT calculations, despite the absence of magnetic order in FeSe. This calculation gives a realistic approximation, at DFT level, of the disordered paramagnetic state of FeSe, in which strong spin fluctuations are present.