Comparison of spin anisotropy and exchange alternation

Quasi‐1‐D magnetic systems with on the one hand an Ising‐Heisenberg type spin anisotropy and on the other hand an alternating (dimerized) character have many interesting features in common and a few interesting differences in their phase behavior and general magnetic properties. This report reviews results rather scattered in the literature in addition to presenting new results. These rather complex quantum models present a theoretical challenge. It is also hoped that this work will be helpful to magnetochemists interested in identifying the underlying magnetic character of their systems, and to experimentalists in general