Low-dimensional quantum spin systems in pulsed magnetic fields

Low-dimensional spin systems in high magnetic fields reveal new and unexpected physical phenomena. Typical examples are the distinct plateaus in the magnetization found in quasi- 1d and 2d compounds. Even for the well known case of the quasi-1d homogeneous Heisenberg spin chain or its dimerized variant, unexpected elastic anomalies can be detected in high magnetic fields. Since the exchange constants of these low-dimensional spin systems are of the order of the dominant energy scale, pulse-field experiments are particularly well suited for investigations of the magnetic properties. In this contribution we present and discuss our results for selected low-dimensional compounds such as the homogeneous antiferromagnetic Heisenberg spin chain Cu(II)-bispyrazoldihydroxybenzene, which is a new quasi-1d Cu(II)-coordination polymer, the dimerized spin chain (VO)₂P₂O₇, and the plateau systems SrCU₂(BO₃)₂ and NH₄CUCl₃.