CaCrO3: An Anomalous Antiferromagnetic Metallic Oxide

Combining infrared reflectivity, transport, susceptibility, and several diffraction techniques, we find compelling evidence that CaCrO(3) is a rare case of a metallic and antiferromagnetic transition-metal oxide with a three-dimensional electronic structure. Local spin density approximation calculations correctly describe the metallic behavior as well as the anisotropic magnetic ordering pattern of C type: The high Cr valence state induces via sizable pd hybridization remarkably strong next-nearest-neighbor interactions stabilizing this ordering. The subtle balance of magnetic interactions gives rise to magnetoelastic coupling, explaining pronounced structural anomalies observed at the magnetic ordering transition.