Magnetic phase diagrams of the Kagomé staircase compoundsCo3V2O8 and Ni3V2O8

Abstract

An extensive low temperature magnetization study of high quality single crystals of the Kagomé staircasecompounds Ni3V2O8 and Co3V2O8 has beenperformed, and the H–T phase diagrams have been determined from these measurements. The magnetization and susceptibilitycurves for Co3V2O8 are analysed in terms of their compatibility with the different ferromagneticand antiferromagnetic structures proposed for this compound. ForNi3V2O8, thephase diagram is extended to magnetic fields higher than previously reported; for a field applied alongthe a axis, the low temperature incommensurate phase is found to close at around 90 kOe.