Observation of a half step magnetization in the {Cu3}-type triangular spin

We report pulsed field magnetization and ESR experiments on a {Cu-3} nanomagnet, where antiferromagnetically coupled Cu2+ (S=1/2) ions form a slightly distorted triangle. The remarkable feature is the observation of a half step magnetization, hysteresis loops, and an asymmetric magnetization between a positive and a negative field in a fast sweeping external field. This is attributed to an adiabatic change of magnetization. The energy levels determined by ESR unveil that the different mixing nature of a spin chirality of a total S=1/2 Kramers doublet by virtue of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions is decisive for inducing half step magnetization.