Two successive field-induced spin-flop transitions in single-crystalline CaCo$_{2}$As$_{2}$

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic properties of CaCo$_{2}$As$_{2}$, revealing two successive spin-flop transitions under magnetic field and highlighting its weak coupling between electronic transport and magnetic order.

Contribution

It reports the observation of two successive field-induced spin-flop transitions in CaCo$_{2}$As$_{2}$ and estimates the weak interlayer antiferromagnetic coupling constant.

Findings

Two successive spin-flop transitions under magnetic field.

Weak coupling between conduction electrons and magnetic order.

Interlayer antiferromagnetic coupling constant approximately 2 meV.

Abstract

CaCo$_{2}$As$_{2}$, a ThCr$_{2}$Si$_{2}$-structure compound, undergoes an antiferromagnetic transition at \emph{T$_{N}$}=76K with the magnetic moments being aligned parallel to the \emph{c} axis. Electronic transport measurement reveals that the coupling between conducting carriers and magnetic order in CaCo$_{2}$As$_{2}$ is much weaker comparing to the parent compounds of iron pnictide. Applying magnetic field along \emph{c} axis induces two successive spin-flop transitions in its magnetic state. The magnetization saturation behaviors with \emph{\textbf{H}$\parallel$c} and \emph{\textbf{H}$\parallel$ab} at 10K indicate that the antiferromagnetic coupling along \emph{c} direction is very weak. The interlayer antiferromagntic coupling constant \emph{J$_{c}$} is estimated to be about 2 meV.