Magnetoelectric Properties of (Ca_{1-x}Sr_{x})₂CoSi₂O₇ Crystals

We have investigated the magnetoelectric properties of (Ca$_{1-x}$Sr$_{x}$)$_2$CoSi$_2$O$_7$ ($0\leq x\leq 1$) crystals with a quasi-two-dimensional structure. In Ca$_2$CoSi$_2$O$_7$ ($x=0$), a canted antiferromagnetic transition occurs at 5.6 K. The transition temperature $T_{\rm N}$ is increasing with increasing Sr concentration, and the rises of the magnetization and dielectric constant become larger. Since the dielectric constant shows large change at $T_{\rm N}$ and the magnetocapacitance effect is observed below $T_{\rm N}$, a coupling between the magnetism and dielectricity is strong in (Ca$_{1-x}$Sr$_{x}$)$_2$CoSi$_2$O$_7$. The positive magnetocapacitance is reduced by Sr substitution, and is not observed in $x\geq 0.5$. Namely, the compound of $x\geq 0.5$ does not show the magnetic-field-induced electric polarization. On the other hand, the negative magnetocapacitance is enhanced by Sr substitution.