Pressure-induced suppression of ferromagnetism in the itinerant ferromagnet LaCrSb3

Abstract

We have performed an extensive pressure-dependent structural, spectroscopic, and electrical transport study of LaCrSb3. The ferromagnetic phase (TC=120 K at p = 0 GPa) is fully suppressed by p = 26.5 GPa and the Cr moment decreases steadily with increasing pressure. The unit-cell volume decreases smoothly up to p = 55 GPa. We find that the bulk modulus and suppression of the magnetism are in good agreement with theoretical predictions, but the Cr moment decreases smoothly with pressure, in contrast to steplike drops predicted by theory. The ferromagnetic ordering temperature appears to be driven by the Cr moment.