Anomalous temperature-dependent magnetization in the nearly collinear antiferromagnet Y$_2$Co$_3$

TL;DR

This study reveals that Y$_2$Co$_3$ exhibits an A-type antiferromagnetic structure with temperature-dependent magnetic interactions, clarifying previous noncollinear interpretations and showing minimal pressure effects on its Néel temperature.

Contribution

The paper provides the first detailed magnetic structure of Y$_2$Co$_3$ using neutron diffraction, demonstrating temperature-dependent exchange interactions and correcting prior bulk magnetization interpretations.

Findings

Y$_2$Co$_3$ has an A-type AFM structure with moments along the $b$ axis.

Temperature dependence of exchange interactions causes apparent noncollinearity.

Pressure has negligible effect on the Néel temperature.

Abstract

Y$_2$Co$_3$ is a newly discovered antiferromagnetic (AFM) compound with distorted kagome layers. Previous investigations via bulk magnetization measurements suggested a complex noncollinear magnetic behavior, with magnetic moments primarily anti-aligned along the $b$ axis and some canting towards the $ac$ plane. In this study, we report the magnetic structure of Y$_2$Co$_3$ to be an A-type AFM structure with ferromagnetic (FM) interactions within the distorted kagome plane and an interplane antiferromagnetic interaction, as determined by single-crystal neutron diffraction. The magnetic moments align along the $b$ axis, with minimal canting towards the $c$ axis, at odds with the previous interpretation of bulk magnetization measurements. The magnetic moments on the two distinct Co sites are [0, -0.68(3), 0] $\mu_B$ and [0, 1.25(4), 0.07(1)] $\mu_B$. We attribute the previously reported "noncollinear" behavior to the considerable temperature dependence of itinerant AFM exchange interactions, induced by thermal contraction along the $b$ axis. Additionally, our examination of lattice constants through pressure studies reveals compensating effects on FM and AFM interactions, resulting in negligible pressure dependence of $T_\textrm{N}$.