Raman scattering as a probe of nematic correlations

We use the symmetry-constrained low-energy effective Hamiltonian of iron-based superconductors to study the Raman scattering in the normal state of underdoped iron-based superconductors. The incoming and scattered Raman photons couple directly to orbital fluctuations and indirectly to the spin fluctuations. We computed both couplings within the same low-energy model. The symmetry-constrained Hamiltonian yields the coupling between the orbital and spin fluctuations of only the same symmetry type. Attraction in the B2g symmetry channel was assumed for the system to develop the subleading instability towards the discrete in-plane rotational symmetry breaking, referred to as Ising nematic transition. We find that upon approaching this instability, the Raman spectral function develops a quasielastic peak as a function of energy transferred by photons to the crystal. We attribute this low-energy B2g scattering to the critical slowdown associated with the buildup of nematic correlations.