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Coexistence of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic spin correlations in SrCo2As2 revealed by 59Co and 75As NMR

In nonsuperconducting, metallic paramagnetic SrCo2As2, inelastic neutron scattering measurements have revealed strong stripe-type $χ$(q) = ($π$,0) antiferromagnetic (AFM) spin correlations. Here, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements on 59Co and 75As nuclei, we demonstrate that stronger ferromagnetic (FM) spin correlations coexist in SrCo2As2. Our NMR data are consistent with density functional theory (DFT) calculations which show enhancements at both q = ($π$,0) and the in-plane FM q = 0 wavevectors in static magnetic susceptibility $χ$(q). We suggest that the strong FM fluctuations prevent superconductivity in SrCo2As2, despite the presence of stripe-type AFM fluctuations. Furthermore, since DFT calculations have consistently revealed similar enhancements of the $χ$(q) at both q = ($π$,0) and q = 0 in the iron-based superconductors and parent compounds, our observation of FM correlations in SrCo2As2 calls for detailed studies of FM correlations in the iron-based superconductors.