1/3 and other magnetization plateaus in a quasi-one-dimensional Ising magnet TbTi₃Bi₄ with zigzag spin chain

We report the magnetic properties of newly synthesized, single crystals of TbTi₃Bi₄ whose crystal structure is highlighted by the stacking of terbium-based zigzag chains and titanium-based kagome lattices. This compound demonstrates extreme easy-axis magnetic anisotropy due to the crystalline-electric-field effect which aligns the Tb³⁺ moments along the zigzag chain direction. As the result of the strong single-ion anisotropy and multiple magnetic interactions, TbTi₃Bi₄ behaves as a quasi-one-dimensional Ising magnet with a remarkable antiferromagnetic ordering at TN = 20.4 K. When a magnetic field is applied along the direction of the zigzag chain, multiple meta-magnetic transitions occur between 1/3 and other magnetization plateaus. We have created a field-temperature phase diagram and mapped out the complex magnetic structures resulting from frustration.