Raman scattering study of EuCu2As2

Polycrystalline sample of EuCu2As2 has been studied by magnetization and Raman scattering measurements. The magnetization result shows that the ground state is antiferromagnetic in the absence of external magnetic field while there is a delicate balance between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions in a narrow temperature range below 15K in the presence of field. Raman scattering experiments on the corresponding high temperature phase reveals distinct peaks with the most intense one at 235 cm−1. The temperature variation of the peak shape and position has been studied and is ascribed to anharmonic behavior.