Static and dynamic magnetic properties of two synthetic francisites Cu3La(SeO3)2O2X (X = Br and Cl)

The formation of long-range magnetic order at low temperatures was established in francisite—type compounds Cu3La(SeO3)2O2X (X = Br and Cl) through measurements of magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, specific heat and X-band electron spin resonance. The significantly enhanced critical index p = 1.0 ± 0.1 in Cu3La(SeO3)2Br and p = 0.8 ± 0.1 in Cu3La(SeO3)2Cl in the temperature dependence of the width of ESR signal evidence the reduced dimensionality of the kagome-type francisite’s magnetic subsystem. Under action of external magnetic field, the presumably non-collinear six-sublattices antiferromagnetic structure of these compounds experiences the first-order metamagnetic transformation. The B–T magnetic phase diagrams were established from the positions of singularities in temperature and field dependences of thermodynamic properties. Contrary to pristine mineral Cu3Bi(SeO3)2Cl, no signature of structural phase transition was detected.