We investigate a simple model of a frustrated classical spin chain coupled to adiabatic phonons under an external magnetic field. A thorough study of the magnetization properties is carried out both numerically and analytically. We show that already a moderate coupling with the lattice can stabilize a plateau at 1/3 of the saturation and discuss the deformation of the underlying lattice in this phase. We also study the transition to saturation where either a first or second order transition can occur, depending on the couplings strength.
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0603514,
title = {Influence of lattice distortions in classical spin systems},
author = {D. C. Cabra and M. Moliner and F. Stauffer},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0603514},
year = {2007}
}