Ultrafast Dynamics of Spin-Density Wave Order in BaFe2As2 under High Pressures

We utilize pump-probe spectroscopy to measure the quasiparticle relaxation dynamics of BaFe2As2 in a diamond anvil cell at pressures up to 4.4 GPa and temperatures down to 8 K. Tracing the amplitude of the relaxation process results in an electronic phase diagram that illustrates the variation of the spin-density wave (SDW) order across the whole range of the applied pressures and temperatures. We observe a slowing down of the SDW relaxation dynamics in the vicinity of the phase transition boundary. However, its character depends on the trajectory in the phase diagram: the slowing down occurs gradually for the pressure-induced transition at low temperatures and abruptly for the thermally-driven transition. Our results suggest that the pressure-induced quantum phase transition in BaFe2As2 is related to the gradual worsening of the Fermi-surface nesting conditions.