Synthesis of cubic SrCoO3 single crystal and its anisotropic magnetic and transport properties

A large-size single crystal of nearly stoichiometric SrCoO3 was prepared with a two-step method combining the floating-zone technique and subsequent high oxygen pressure treatment. SrCoO3 crystallizes in a cubic perovskite structure with space group Pm (3) over barm, and displays an itinerant ferromagnetic behavior with the Curie temperature of 305 K. The easy magnetization axis is found to be along the [111] direction, and the saturation moment is 2.5 mu B/f.u., in accord with the picture of the intermediate spin state. The resistivity at low temperatures (T) is proportional to T-2, indicative of the possible effect of orbital fluctuation in the intermediate spin ferromagnetic metallic state. Unusual anisotropic magnetoresistance is also observed and its possible origin is discussed.