Modification of magnetic anisotropy through 3d-4f coupling in La0.75Pr0.25Co2P2

Magnetic behavior of La0.75Pr0.25Co2P2 was investigated by a combination of magnetic measurements, magneto-optical imaging, neutron diffraction, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy, including x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. The material crystallizes in the ThCr2Si2 structure type and exhibits three consecutive magnetic phase transitions. At 167 K, the Co magnetic moments order ferromagnetically in the ab plane of the tetragonal crystal structure. At 66 K, a ferromagnetic ordering of Pr(4f) moments parallel to the c axis causes a rotation of the Co(3d) moments towards the c axis in the direction opposite to the Pr moments, thus forming a noncollinear ferrimagnetically ordered structure and switching the direction of the total magnetization from the ab plane to the c axis. The third magnetic transition observed at 35 K is likely associated with the establishment of the collinear ferrimagnetic order along the c axis.