Unusual strong ferromagnetism in site-ordered cubic Laves phase compound LuInCo${}_4$ with Co-pyrochlore lattice

Abstract

We have successfully synthesized single crystals of the site-ordered cubic (C15b) Laves phase compound LuInCo${}_4$ with the Co-pyrochlore sublattice for the first time. LuInCo${}_4$ undergoes a ferromagnetic transition at 306 K and has a saturation moment of 3.43 ${\mu }_{\mathrm{B}}$/f.u. at 5 K. The strongly ferromagnetic nature was verified by DFT calculations, suggesting that Co-3$d$ flat bands near the Fermi level induce the spin polarization. The magnetization is isotropic above $\sim$100 K, saturates most easily in the [100] direction at low temperatures. In this anisotropic ferromagnetic state, the magnetization undergoes a metamagnetic transition in the [111] direction. Our results suggest that LuInCo${}_4$ is a new strong but unusual itinerant electron ferromagnet, which deserves further study as a pyrochlore metal.

11 pages, 12 figures