beta-Cu3V2O8: Magnetic ordering in a spin-1/2 kagome-staircase lattice

TL;DR

This study investigates the magnetic properties of beta-Cu3V2O8, revealing short-range order at 75 K and antiferromagnetic transition at 29 K, with anisotropy reducing geometric frustration.

Contribution

It provides detailed experimental characterization of magnetic ordering in a spin-1/2 kagome-staircase lattice, highlighting the effects of anisotropy on frustration.

Findings

Short-range magnetic order at ~75 K.

Antiferromagnetic transition at ~29 K.

Reduced frustration due to anisotropy.

Abstract

The spin-1/2 Cu2+ ions in beta-Cu3V2O8 occupy the sites of a Kagome-staircase lattice, an anisotropic variant of the Kagome net: buckled layers and imbedded plaquettes of three edge-shared CuO4 squares break the ideal Kagome symmetry. Susceptibility and heat capacity measurements show the onset of short-range ordering at approximately 75 K, and a magnetic phase transition with the characteristics of antiferromagnetism at ~29 K. Comparison to the Curie Weiss theta (theta,CW = -135 K) indicates that the geometric frustration is largely relieved by the anisotropy. A ferromagnetic contribution to the magnetization below the ordering temperature and negative magnetization in zero-field cooled measurements at low fields are attributed to uncompensated spins at grain boundaries or defects.