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Observation of the bands with $d_{xy}$ orbital character near the Fermi level in NdFeAs$_{1-x}$P$_{x}$O$_{0.9}$F$_{0.1}$ using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

We studied the band structure of NdFeAs$_{1-x}$P$_{x}$O$_{0.9}$F$_{0.1}$ ($x$ = 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6) using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements. Two of the hole bands, $α_1$ $(d_{xz})$ and $α_3$ $(d_{z^2})$, were observed at the Brillouin zone center in the $P$-polarized light configuration, while the other two hole bands, $α_2$ $(d_{yz})$ and $γ$ $(d_{xy})$, were observed in the $S$-polarized alternative. The observed $γ$ band shifts downwards as $x$ increases, which is consistent with the theoretical prediction for the change in bond angle of As/P-Fe-As/P. Furthermore, a small amount of the $d_{xy}$ orbital component was observed at the same binding energy as that of the top of the $α_1$ band, thus indicating the band reconstruction of the originally degenerate $α_1$ and $α_2$ $(d_{xz}/d_{yz})$ bands by the unoccupied $d_{xy}$ band. The change in the energy level of the $α_1$ band top with $d_{xy}$ orbital character is accompanied by a $T_{c}$ upturn at $0.2 < x < 0.4$. The $T_{c}$ continues to increase as the $α_1$ band shifts downward, crossing the Fermi level. The incipient band with the $d_{xy}$ orbital character on its top could be an important ingredient for high $T_{c}$ 1111-type iron-based superconductors.