Paramagnetism with anomalously large magnetic susceptibility in β(fcc)-cobalt probed by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism up to 170 GPa

We present direct observation of the magnetic state in a beta(fcc)-Co high-pressure phase accompanied by the epsilon ->beta (hcp -> fcc) transition by means of Co K-edge x-ray magnetic circular dichroism up to 170 GPa. In contrast to the prediction made in previous studies that beta(fcc)-Co is nonmagnetic, this study concludes that beta(fcc)-Co is paramagnetic with anomalously large magnetic susceptibility chi = 1.5(4) x 10(-3) cm(3)/g.