Magnetization process of the breathing pyrochlore magnet CuInCr$_4$S$_8$ in ultra-high magnetic fields up to 150 T

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetization process of CuInCr4S8 in ultra-high magnetic fields up to 150 T, revealing multiple phase transitions, a wide 1/2-plateau, and features explained by a microscopic spin-lattice coupling model.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed experimental and theoretical analysis of the magnetization process in CuInCr4S8 at ultra-high fields, highlighting the origin of the 1/2-plateau.

Findings

Observation of a wide 1/2-plateau from 55 T to 110 T

Detection of hysteresis indicating first-order transitions

Theoretical model reproduces main features of the magnetization process

Abstract

The magnetization process of the breathing pyrochlore magnet CuInCr4S8 has been investigated in ultra-high magnetic fields up to 150 T. Successive phase transitions characterized with a substantially wide 1/2-plateau from 55 T to 110 T are observed in this system, resembling those reported in chromium spinel oxides. In addition to the 1/2-plateau phase, the magnetization is found to exhibit two inherent behaviors: a slight change in the slope of the M-H curve at ~ 85 T and a shoulder-like shape at ~ 130 T prior to the saturation. Both of them are accompanied by a hysteresis, suggesting first-order transitions. The theoretical calculation applicable to CuInCr4S8 is also shown, based on the microscopic model with the spin-lattice coupling. The calculation fairly well reproduces the main features of the experimentally observed magnetization process, including a relatively wide cant 2:1:1 phase clearly observed in the previous work [Y. Okamoto et al., J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 87, 034709 (2018)]. The robust 1/2-plateau on CuInCr4S8 seems to be originated from the dominant antiferromagnetic interactions and the strong spin-lattice coupling.