Incommensurate-commensurate phase transition in the frustrated antiferromagnet CsCuCl 3 studied by neutron diffraction

Abstract

A diffraction study has been performed in order to study the incommensurate–commensurate phase transition expected in the magnetically frustrated system CsCuCl3 in a transverse field, H⊥c axis. The phase transition was followed throughout the phase diagram. We will describe here the results near 16 T at a temperature of 2 K. In this region the transition to the commensurate phase is believed to be driven by quantum fluctuations. The field dependence of the propagation vector has been determined. No field hysteresis could be identified across the transition but a narrow two-phase region was observed. Possibilities and limitations of neutron-diffraction studies at high fields using a Dy booster to enhance the field strength of superconducting magnets are addressed.