Static magnetic order in metallic K$_{0.49}$CoO$_{2}$

TL;DR

This study reveals successive magnetic phase transitions in metallic K$_{0.49}$CoO$_{2}$ below 60 K, including a transition to a helical spin density wave state, with magnetic behavior influenced more by Co valence than structural factors.

Contribution

First observation of multiple magnetic transitions and SDW states in metallic K$_{0.49}$CoO$_{2}$ using muon spin spectroscopy, highlighting the role of Co valence in magnetic ordering.

Findings

Successive magnetic transitions at 60 K and 16 K.

Formation of a commensurate helical SDW below 16 K.

Magnetic order influenced more by Co valence than structure.

Abstract

By means of muon spin spectroscopy, we have found that K$_{0.49}$CoO$_2$ crystals undergo successive magnetic transitions from a high-T paramagnetic state to a magnetic ordered state below 60 K and then to a second ordered state below 16 K, even though K_{0.49}CoO_2 is metallic at least down to 4 K. An isotropic magnetic behavior and wide internal-field distributions suggest the formation of a commensurate helical spin density wave (SDW) state below 16 K, while a linear SDW state is likely to exist above 16 K. It was also found that K_{0.49}CoO_2 exhibits a further transition at 150 K presumably due to a change in the spin state of the Co ions. Since the T dependence of the internal-field below 60 K was similar to that for Na_{0.5}CoO_2, this suggests that magnetic order is more strongly affected by the Co valence than by the interlayer distance/interaction and/or the charge-ordering.