Local probe evidence supporting altermagnetism in Co$_{1/4}$NbSe$_2$

Abstract

Muon spin rotation (${\mu}$SR), combined with muon stopping site and local field analysis, was used to investigate the magnetic properties of cobalt intercalated 2H-NbSe$_2$ (Co$_{1/4}$NbSe$_2$). Co$_{1/4}$NbSe$_2$ is predicted to be an altermagnet, and whilst neutron diffraction has proposed its magnetic structure, microscopic details such as the magnetic volume fraction remain unclear. Therefore, a local probe investigation of its magnetism is essential. Here, we report the determination of the magnetically ordered volume fraction, ordered moment size, and magnetic structure. Our results reveal a sharp second-order transition to a full-volume-fraction, homogeneous magnetic order below $T_\mathrm{N}~=~168~$K. The moments are aligned antiparallel along the $c$-axis, consistent with neutron diffraction and altermagnetism. ${\mu}$SR reveals that the state remains stable under a $c$-axis magnetic field up to $0.78~$T, with magnetisation measurements suggesting this robust regimes extends to at least $5$~T. Within the time resolution of ${\mu}$SR, no precursor slow altermagnetic fluctuations were detected above $T_\mathrm{N}$, which is important for interpreting the band splitting in the paramagnetic state reported by photoemission studies. These findings support altermagnetism in Co$_{1/4}$NbSe$_2$ and motivate further experiments to explore the tunability of its magnetic and electronic structure.