Fractional magnetization plateaus in the Shastry–Sutherland lattice material Er2Be2GeO7
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The experimental study of magnetism on the Shastry–Sutherland lattice (SSL) has been ongoing for more than two decades, following the discovery of the first SSL material SrCu2(BO3)2. However, investigation of SSL systems is often complicated by the requirements of high magnetic fields (e.g. > 20 T for SrCu2(BO3)2) or the presence of itinerant electrons (e.g. REB4). In this paper, we present the magnetic properties of the SSL material Er2Be2GeO7. Like SrCu2(BO3)2, Er2Be2GeO7 exhibits fractional magnetization plateaus. However, unlike SrCu2(BO3)2, Er2Be2GeO7 exhibits long-range order below ∼ 1 K, and the plateaus are accessible using commercial laboratory equipment, occurring for fields < 1 T. The fractions of magnetization present are closest to 1 / 4 , 4 / 9 , and 1 / 2 of the saturation magnetization. Hysteresis is observed in the 4 / 9 and 1 / 2 plateau phases. The lack of itinerant electrons, chemical disorder, and the low fields required to access the fractional magnetization plateaus promise Er2Be2GeO7 as a prime candidate for the study of frustrated magnetism on the SSL.
Language: English
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,325
OpenAlex ID: W4414797485