Anisotropy modulated stepwise magnetization in triangular Heisenberg antiferromagnet

During the course of tuning anisotropy from Ising type to zero, the variation of magnetization (M) steps against magnetic field (h) is investigated in a triangular antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model using Monte Carlo techniques. It is revealed that the anisotropy is an essential key to induce the temperature-dependent stepwise M(h) curve observed in frustrated magnetic system, and it can be employed to modulate this steplike magnetic behavior effectively. When the anisotropy is strengthened, a ground state transition occurs from the homogeneous 120° triangular structure to the collinear partially disordered antiferromagnetic state. No M step is detected in the system without anisotropy. But if the anisotropy is nonzero, the M₀/3 step (where M₀ is the saturated M) will emerge on M(h) curve, which is due to an h-induced quasi-collinear ferrimagnetic state. This M₀/3 step can be extended by increasing the anisotropy. When the M₀/3 plateau dominates the h-range broad enough, the equidistant metastable substeps, which originates from the disorders frozen in the frustrated collinear spin structure, appear to be superposed on the M₀/3 plateau. Thus the system with a strong anisotropy presents the whole temperature evolution of stepwise M(h) curve in quantitative agreement with the experiments of Ca₃Co₂O₆.