Nonlinear uniaxial pressure dependence of Tc in iron-based superconductors

We have systematically studied the effects of in-plane uniaxial pressure p on the superconducting transition temperature Tc in many iron-based superconductors. The change of Tc with p is composed of linear and nonlinear components. The latter can be described as a quadratic term plus a much smaller fourth-order term. In contrast to the linear component, the nonlinear p dependence of Tc displays a pronounced in-plane anisotropy, which is similar to the anisotropic response of the resistivity to p. As a result, it can be attributed to the coupling between the superconducting and nematic orders, in accordance with the expectations of a phenomenological Landau theory. Our results provide direct evidences for the interplay between nematic fluctuations and superconductivity, which may be a common behavior in iron-based superconductors.