Itinerant G-type antiferromagnetic order in SrCr2As2

Here, neutron-diffraction and magnetic susceptibility studies of polycrystalline SrCr₂As₂ reveal that this compound is an itinerant G-type antiferromagnet below the Néel temperature T_N = 590(5) K with the Cr magnetic moments aligned along the tetragonal c axis. The system remains tetragonal to the lowest measured temperature (~12 K). The lattice parameter ratio c/a and the magnetic moment saturate at about the same temperature below ~200 K, indicating a possible magnetoelastic coupling. The ordered moment μ = 1.9(1)μ_B/Cr, measured at T = 12 K, is significantly reduced compared to its localized value (4μ_B/Cr) due to the itinerant character brought about by hybridization between the Cr 3d and As 4p orbitals.