Coexistence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic spin correlations in SrCo 2 As 2 revealed by 59 Co and 75 As NMR
In nonsuperconducting, metallic paramagnetic SrCo 2 As 2 , inelastic neutron scattering measurements have revealed strong stripe-type q=(π,0) antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin correlations. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on 59 Co and 75 As nuclei, we demonstrate that stronger ferromagnetic (FM) spin correlations coexist in SrCo 2 As 2 . Our NMR data are consistent with density functional theory (DFT) calculations which show enhancements at both q=(π,0) and the in-plane FM q=0 wave vectors in static magnetic susceptibility χ(q). We suggest that the strong FM fluctuations prevent superconductivity in SrCo 2 As 2 , despite the presence of stripe-type AFM fluctuations. Since DFT calculations have consistently revealed similar enhancements of the χ(q) at both q=(π,0) and q=0 in the iron-based superconductors and parent compounds, our observation of FM correlations in SrCo 2 As 2 calls for detailed studies of FM correlations in the iron-based superconductors.