Magnetic field induced transitions probed in CrOCl flakes using dynamic cantilever magnetometry

H-T phase diagrams for chromium oxide chloride (CrOCl) are usually obtained using data from the measurements of magnetization and specific heats. Recent works suggest that magnetic anisotropy exists in CrOCl. In this work, we use dynamic cantilever magnetometry, which is sensitive to both magnetization and magnetic anisotropy, to probe phase transitions in CrOCl flakes. Together with magnetization measurements from a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device, four major regions of the CrOCl H-T phase diagram along its c-axis are obtained, which is consistent with the previously reported works. Then, we studied magnetic field induced transitions in CrOCl flakes under four different temperatures. Several transitions in antiferromagnetic state and in incommensurate state, which have not been reported before, were recognized. We believe these transitions probably originate from magnetic anisotropy due to magnetoelastic coupling and lattice reconstruction in CrOCl. Our work provides intriguing experimental results on the intricate magnetic structure of CrOCl, making progress in understanding the rich magnetic states of CrOCl.

Automated summary

This study used dynamic cantilever magnetometry and a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device to measure the magnetization and magnetic anisotropy of CrOCl flakes, and obtained the H-T phase diagram of CrOCl. In addition, several previously unreported transitions were discovered, which may arise from magnetic anisotropy.