Mechanism for explaining differences in the order parameters of FeAs-based and FeP-based pnictide superconductors.

We put forward a scenario that explains the difference between the order-parameter character in arsenide (As) and phosphorous (P) iron-based superconductors. Using functional renormalization group to analyze it in detail, we find that nodal superconductivity on the electron pockets (hole pocket gaps are always nodeless) can naturally appear when the hole pocket at (π,π) in the unfolded Brillouin zone is absent, as is the case in LaOFeP. There, electron-electron interactions render the gap on the electron pockets softly nodal (of s(±) form). When the pocket of d(xy) orbital character is present, intraorbital interactions with the d(xy) part of the electron Fermi surface drives the superconductivity nodeless.