Flat band driven itinerant magnetism in the Co-pnictides CaCo 2 As 2 and LaCo 2 P 2
Flat bands can induce strong electron correlation effects that help stabilize both magnetic and superconducting states. Here, in this study, we carry out angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations to study the electronic structure of the Co-pnictides CaCo 2 As 2 and LaCo 2 P 2 . We find that the 𝑘 𝑧 Fermi topology of ferromagnetic LaCo 2 P 2 is markedly two-dimensional, while the antiferromagnetic CaCo 2 As 2 develops a 3D Fermi surface described by a zigzaglike band dispersion perpendicular to the Co-As plane. Furthermore, the magnetism is driven by the electronic correlations of the flat bands with 𝑑 𝑥𝑦 and 𝑑 𝑧 2 orbital character at the Fermi level. Our results link the electronic dimensionality and the magnetic order and emphasize the critical role of the As-As and P-P bond strength along the 𝑐 direction to understand the electronic band structure and the rich phase diagram of transition metal pnictides.