Field-induced ordering in a random-bond quantum spin ladder compound with weak anisotropy

Abstract

The field induced quantum phase transitions in the disorder-free and disordered samples of the spin ladder material (CH_3)_2CHNH_3Cu(Cl_{1-x}Br_x)_3 are studied using magnetic calorimetry and magnetic neutron diffraction on single crystal samples. Drastically different critical indexes and correlation lengths in the high field phase are found for two different orientations of the applied field. It is argued that for a field applied along the crystallographic c axis, as in previous studies [1], the transition is best described as an Ising transition in random field and anisotropy, rather than as a magnetic Bose Glass to Bose Condensate transition. [1] Tao Hong, A. Zheludev, H. Manaka, and L.- P. Regnault, Phys. Rev. B 81, 060410 (2010).