1/3 and other magnetization plateaus in a quasi-one-dimensional Ising magnet $\mathbf{TbTi_3Bi_4}$ with zigzag spin chain

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic behavior of TbTi_3Bi_4, a quasi-one-dimensional Ising magnet with zigzag chains, revealing multiple magnetization plateaus and complex magnetic phases due to frustration and anisotropy.

Contribution

It presents the synthesis, structural characterization, and magnetic phase diagram of TbTi_3Bi_4, highlighting its unique magnetization plateaus and magnetic frustration effects.

Findings

Observation of 1/3 and other magnetization plateaus.

Identification of a complex magnetic phase diagram.

Confirmation of strong Ising anisotropy and antiferromagnetic order.

Abstract

We report the magnetic properties of newly synthesized, single crystals of $\mathrm{TbTi_3Bi_4}$ whose crystal structure is highlighted by the stacking of terbium-based zigzag chains and titanium-based kagome lattices. This compound demonstrates extreme easy-axis magnetic anisotropy due to the crystalline-electric-field effect which aligns the $\mathrm{Tb^{3+}}$ moments along the zigzag chain direction. As the result of the strong single-ion anisotropy and multiple magnetic interactions, $\mathrm{TbTi_3Bi_4}$ behaves as a quasi-one-dimensional Ising magnet with a remarkable antiferromagnetic ordering at $T_\mathrm{N}$ = 20.4 K. When a magnetic field is applied along the direction of the zigzag chain, multiple meta-magnetic transitions occur between 1/3 and other magnetization plateaus. We have created a field-temperature phase diagram and mapped out the complex magnetic structures resulting from frustration.