Possible Mott transition in layered Sr2Mn3As2 O2 single crystals

Single crystals of Sr2Mn3As2O2 have been grown for the first time, for which we show a possible layer-selective Mott insulator behavior. This compound stands out as a hybrid structure of MnO2 and MnAs layers, analogously to the active CuO2 and FeAs layers, respectively, in the cuprate and iron-based high-temperature superconductors. Electrical transport, neutron diffraction measurements, together with density functional theory calculations on Sr2Mn3As2O2 single crystals converge toward a picture of independent magnetic order at T1∼79 K and T2∼360 K for the two Mn sublattices, with insulating behavior at odds with the metallic behavior predicted by calculations. Furthermore, our inelastic neutron-scattering studies of spin-wave dispersions for the Mn(1) sublattice reveal an effective magnetic exchange coupling of SJ∼3.7 meV. This is much smaller than those for the Mn(2) sublattice.