Incoherent c-axis interplane response of the iron chalcogenide FeTe(0.55)Se(0.45) superconductor from infrared spectroscopy

We report on the interplane c-axis electronic response of FeTe(0.55)Se(0.45) investigated by infrared spectroscopy. We find that the normal-state c-axis electronic response of FeTe(0.55)Se(0.45) is incoherent and bears significant similarities to those of mildly underdoped cuprates. The c-axis optical conductivity σ(c)(ω) of FeTe(0.55)Se(0.45) does not display well-defined Drude response at all temperatures. As temperature decreases, σ(c)(ω) is continuously suppressed. The incoherent c-axis response is found to be related to the strong dissipation in the ab-plane transport: a pattern that holds true for various correlated materials as well as FeTe(0.55)Se(0.45).