Switching of anisotropy and phase diagram of a Heisenberg square lattice S=1/2 antiferromagnet Cu(pz)2(ClO4)2

TL;DR

This study reveals a switch in anisotropy type in a quasi-2D S=1/2 antiferromagnet, leading to a spin-flop transition and a bicritical point, with an abrupt sign change of in-plane anisotropy at the transition.

Contribution

It uncovers the anisotropy switching phenomenon and the associated phase diagram features in Cu(pz)2(ClO4)2, highlighting the anisotropy sign reversal at the spin-flop point.

Findings

Weak in-plane anisotropy is an order of magnitude less than off-plane anisotropy.

A spin-flop phase transition occurs for magnetic field along the easy axis.

Abrupt change of anisotropy sign at the spin-flop point.

Abstract

Experiments in the antiferromagnetic phase of a quasi 2D $S=1/2$ quasi-square lattice antiferromagnet Cu(pz)2(ClO4)2 reveal a biaxial type of the anisotropy, instead of the easy-plane one, considered before. The weak in-plane anisotropy, found by means of electron spin resonance spectroscopy and magnetization measurements, is about an order of magnitude weaker, than the off-plane anisotropy. The weak in-plane anisotropy results in a spin-flop phase transition for the magnetic field aligned along easy axis, and, thereby, in a bicritical point on the phase diagram. A remarkable feature of the weak in-plane anisotropy is the abrupt change of its sign at the spin-flop point. This anisotropy switching disappears at the tilting of magnetic field to the easy axis by the angle of 10$^\circ$ within the plane. The nature of the abrupt anisotropy reversal remains unclear. The phase diagram is characterized by the increase of the ordering temperature in the magnetic field used, except for a dip near the bicritical point.