Defect dependent multiple magnetization plateaus in frustrated spin-chain cobaltate

Monte Carlo techniques based on the Glauber and Metropolis algorithms are performed to simulate the influence of nonmagnetic defects on the low-temperature magnetization plateaus in Ca3Co2O6. We combine the microscopic spin-chain energy distributions with the conventional patterns and obtain unambiguously the one-to-one correspondence between magnetization plateaus and microscopic spin-chain configurations. Numerical results indicate that on the basis of the energy competition, nonmagnetic defects in a proper concentration range can activate the new diverse nearest-neighboring configurational cells of spin chains in a microscopic scale, inducing more magnetization plateaus with different heights. Interestingly, this phenomenon is still observed at a relatively high temperature because a little dilution can not only lift the degeneracy of ground state greatly but also prevent the form of commensurate ferrimagnetic state. Theoretical investigation provides a potential for governing such plateau behaviors and this will cast more light on the understanding of multiple magnetization-plateau phenomena observed in the materials with geometrical frustration. ► Nonmagnetic defect dependence of magnetization in frustrated systems is studied. ► Magnetization plateaus are split into six equidistant substeps with dilution. ► Microscopic spin-chain energy distribution is combined with conventional pattern. ► One-to-one correspondence between plateaus and configurations is established.