Quantum Phase Transition and Magnetocaloric Effect in a Tetrameric Chain with Three-Spin Interaction

We investigate the quantum phase transition (QPT) and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of a tetrameric chain with three-spin interaction using Green's function theory. The magnetization and gap analysis reveals a variety of quantum phases tuned by magnetic field and three-spin interaction, which can open up an energy gap, giving rise to the occurrence of zero magnetization plateau. However, strong three-spin couplings causing strong frustration will destroy the intermediate 1/2 plateau with emergence of a new gapless phase between two cusps. It favors achieving an enhanced MCE at the critical fields, where the minima of isoentropes as well as the valley-peak structure of Grüneisen ratio, signaling the accumulation of entropy, lead to cooling via adiabatic (de)magnetization processes. It is also found that the temperature dependence of specific heat combined with Grüneisen ratio can testify various quantum phases explicitly.