CsMn(Br_xI_{1-x})_3: Crossover from an XY to an Ising Chiral Antiferromagnet

Abstract

We report on high-resolution specific-heat and magnetocaloric-effect measurements of the triangular-lattice antiferromagnets CsMn(Br_xI_{1-x})_3 with different x. The evolution of the magnetic phase diagrams from the easy-axis system for x = 0 to the easy-plane system for x = 1 was studied in detail. The specific-heat critical exponent alpha of the almost isotropic x = 0.19 system agrees with the value predicted for a chiral Heisenberg scenario. In an applied magnetic field (B = 6 T) a crossover to a weak first-order transition is detected.Comment: 7 pages, 10 figure