Direct Probe of Interplay between Local Structure and Superconductivity in FeTe_0.55Se_0.45

The relationship between atomically defined structures and physical properties in functional materials remains a subject of constant interest. We explore the interplay between local crystallographic structure, composition, and local superconductive properties in iron chalcogenide superconductors. Direct structural analysis of scanning tunneling microscopy data allows local lattice distortions and structural defects across an FeTe_0.55Se_0.45 surface to be explored on a single unit-cell level. Concurrent superconducting gap (SG) mapping reveals suppression of the SG at well-defined structural defects, identified as a local structural distortion. The strong structural distortion causes the vanishing of the superconducting state. This study provides insight into the origins of superconductivity in iron chalcogenides by providing an example of atomic-level studies of the structure–property relationship.