Two magnetic phase transitions have been noted for ${\mathrm{SrCoO}}_{3-y}$ for near-stoichiometric oxygen concentrations (small $y$). Using muon-spin rotation and neutron scattering experiments, we have established that the two transitions represent separate, spatially distinct magnetic phases that coexist in a two-phase equilibrium mixture. The two phases most likely represent areas of the sample with different effective valence charge densities. Further, the phases exist over regions with a length scale intermediate between nanoscale charge inhomogeneity and systems such as manganites or superoxygenated cuprates with large length scale phase separations.

• Received 26 October 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.93.224412