B-T phase diagram of CoCr2O4 in magnetic fields up to 14 T

TL;DR

This study maps the magnetic phase diagram of multiferroic CoCr2O4 up to 14 T, revealing a new low-temperature phase transition and magnetic irreversibility effects confirmed by magnetization and specific heat measurements.

Contribution

The paper provides the first detailed high-field phase diagram of CoCr2O4, identifying a new phase transition at T* and characterizing magnetic irreversibility.

Findings

Discovery of a new phase transition at T* = 5-6 K.

Confirmation of irreversibility behavior in magnetization and heat capacity.

Construction of the magnetic field-temperature phase diagram.

Abstract

We have measured the magnetization and specific heat of multiferroic CoCr2O4 in magnetic fields up to 14 T. The high-field magnetization measurements indicate a new phase transition at T* = 5 - 6 K. The phase between T* and the lock-in transition at 15 K is characterized by magnetic irreversibility. At higher magnetic fields, the irreversibility increases. Specific-heat measurements confirm the transition at T*, and also show irreversible behavior. We construct a field-temperature phase diagram of CoCr2O4.