Half-Magnetization Plateau Stabilized by Structural Distortion in the Antiferromagnetic Heisenberg Model on a Pyrochlore Lattice
Abstract
Magnetization plateaus, visible as anomalies in magnetic susceptibility at low temperatures, are one of the hallmarks of frustrated magnetism. We show how an extremely robust half-magnetization plateau can arise from coupling between spin and lattice degrees of freedom in a pyrochlore antiferromagnet and develop a detailed symmetry of analysis of the simplest possible scenario for such a plateau state. The application of this theory to the spinel oxides CdCr2O4 and HgCr2O4, where a robust half-magnetization plateau has been observed, is discussed.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- November 2004
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.197203
- arXiv:
- arXiv:cond-mat/0408397
- Bibcode:
- 2004PhRvL..93s7203P
- Keywords:
-
- 75.10.Hk;
- 75.80.+q;
- Classical spin models;
- Magnetomechanical and magnetoelectric effects magnetostriction;
- Condensed Matter - Strongly Correlated Electrons;
- Condensed Matter - Materials Science
- E-Print:
- 4 pages, 4 figures