Flat-band-induced itinerant ferromagnetism in RbCo 2 Se 2
ACo 2 Se 2 (A=K,Rb,Cs) is a homologue of the iron-based superconductor, AFe 2 Se 2 . From a comprehensive study of RbCo 2 Se 2 via measurements of magnetization, transport, neutron diffraction, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, and first-principle calculations, we identify a ferromagnetic order accompanied by an orbital-dependent spin-splitting of the electronic dispersions. However, we identify the ordered moment to be dominated by a d x 2 –y 2 flatband near the Fermi level, which exhibits the largest spin splitting across the ferromagnetic transition, suggesting an itinerant origin of the ferromagnetism. In the broader context of the iron-based superconductors, we find this d x 2 –y 2 flatband to be a common feature in the band structures of both iron chalcogenides and iron pnictides, accessible via heavy electron doping.