Magnetic structure and Ising-like antiferromagnetism in the bilayer triangular lattice compound NdZnPO

The complex interplay of spin frustration and quantum fluctuations in low-dimensional quantum materials leads to a variety of intriguing phenomena. This research focuses on a detailed analysis of the magnetic behavior exhibited by NdZnPO, a bilayer spin-1/2 triangular lattice antiferromagnet. The investigation employs magnetization, specific heat, and powder neutron scattering measurements. At zero field, a long-range magnetic order is observed at TN=1.640.16em0exK. Powder neutron diffraction experiments show the Ising-like magnetic moments along the c axis, revealing a stripelike magnetic structure with magnetic propagation vector $(1/2,0,1/2)$. Application of a magnetic field along the c axis suppresses the antiferromagnetic order, leading to a fully polarized ferromagnetic state above Bc=4.50.16em0exT. This transition is accompanied by notable enhancements in the nuclear Schottky contribution. Moreover, the absence of spin frustration and expected field-induced plateaulike phases are remarkable observations. Detailed calculations of magnetic dipolar interactions revealed complex couplings reminiscent of a honeycomb lattice, suggesting the potential emergence of Kitaev-like physics within this system. This comprehensive study of the magnetic properties of NdZnPO highlights unresolved intricacies, underscoring the imperative for further exploration to unveil the underlying governing mechanisms.