Distinct Magnetic Phases in Structurally Uniform SrCoO$_{3-y}$

Abstract

Two magnetic phase transitions have been noted for SrCoO$_{3-y}$ for near-stoichiometric oxygen concentrations (small y). Using muon spin rotation and neutron scattering experiments, we have established that the two transitions represent separate, spatially distinct magnetic phases that coexist in a two-phase equilibrium mixture. The two phases most likely represent areas of the sample with different effective valence charge density. Further, the phases exist over regions with a length scale intermediate between nanoscale charge inhomogeneity and systems such as manganites or super-oxygenated cuprates with large length scale phase separation.