Dynamic fields in the partial magnetization plateau of Ca₃Co₂O₆.

Fluctuation dynamics in magnetization plateaus is a relatively poorly explored area in frustrated magnetism. Here we use muon spin relaxation to determine the fluctuation timescale and associated field distribution width in the partial magnetization plateau of Ca(3)Co(2)O(6). The muon spin relaxation rate has a simple and characteristic field dependence which we model and, by fitting to the data at 15 K, we extract a fluctuation timescale τ = 880(30) ps and a field distribution width Δ = 40.6(3) mT. Comparison with previous results on Ca(3)Co(2)O(6) suggests that this fluctuation timescale can be associated with short-range, slowly fluctuating magnetic order.