Single crystal neutron diffraction study of the magnetisation process in Ca 3 Co 2 O 6

We have performed neutron diffraction measurements on a single crystal sample of Ca3Co2O6 both in a zero field and in an applied magnetic field. The measurements have revealed details of the zero-field structure of this geometrically frustrated Ising-like spin-chain compound at low temperatures and have also allowed us to examine its magnetisation process. Transitions to the M=Msat/3 ferrimagnetic state and fully polarised ferromagnetic state have been observed. The neutron scattering results are compared with the magnetisation data, where these transitions are accompanied by the appearance of several steps and plateaux.