Field-induced quantum first-order transition in a two-dimensional frustrated antiferromagnet
Phys. Rev. B 113, 064409 – Published 6 February, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/7nqp-9m4x
Abstract
We report a field-induced quantum first-order transition in the quasi-two-dimensional antiferromagnet . Using highly oriented microcrystals with , polarization neutron diffraction directly resolves microscopic coexistence between an incommensurate cycloid and a commensurate collinear state on the same specimen, together with a discontinuous jump of the ordering vector from () to . Magnetization and specific heat show a step and a collapse of the anomaly near with no measurable hysteresis, consistent with strong quantum-fluctuation-induced rounding of first-order signatures in the limit. LF- reveals two-component relaxation and loss of the late-time tail around , with slow fluctuations persisting to 0.06 K. The phase diagram exhibits a narrow coexistence region. By the symmetry of space group (Moriya's rules), the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya vector is constrained predominantly within the plane, thereby favoring a spiral with . Conversely, XY anisotropy competes with this tendency, producing a near degeneracy between the incommensurate cycloid and the commensurate collinear state and promoting a first-order switch under field sweep. thus provides a clean insulating platform and a microscopic standard for identifying quantum first-order transitions in frustrated magnets.