Quantum phase transitions and decoupling of magnetic sublattices in the quasi-two-dimensional Ising magnet Co3V2O8 in a transverse magnetic field

TL;DR

This study investigates quantum phase transitions in the quasi-two-dimensional Ising magnet Co3V2O8 under a transverse magnetic field, revealing multiple phase changes and a high-field polarized state using advanced neutron scattering techniques.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed mapping of quantum phase transitions and spin excitations in Co3V2O8 under transverse magnetic fields, highlighting the decoupling of magnetic sublattices.

Findings

Identification of three quantum phase transitions at specific magnetic fields.

Observation of both discontinuous and continuous phase transitions.

Discovery of a novel high-field polarized magnetic state.

Abstract

The application of a magnetic field transverse to the easy axis, Ising direction in the quasi-two-dimensional Kagome staircase magnet, Co3V2O8, induces three quantum phase transitions at low temperatures, ultimately producing a novel high field polarized state, with two distinct sublattices. New time-of-flight neutron scattering techniques, accompanied by large angular access, high magnetic field infrastructure allow the mapping of a sequence of ferromagnetic and incommensurate phases and their accompanying spin excitations. At least one of the transitions to incommensurate phases at \mu 0Hc1~6.25 T and \mu 0Hc2~7 T is discontinuous, while the final quantum critical point at \mu 0Hc3~13 T is continuous.