| Using DMRG and spin-wave theory we studied the influence of inter-chain couplings on the saturation field of quasi-one-dimensional spin-1/2 antiferromagnets. It is shown, that for certain frustrated spin-chains the saturation field is completely independent of intra-chain interactions and in other cases dominated by the former. Hence, it represents a novel sensitive and attractive method to determine even weak inter-chain interactions of the order of few K. Pulsed-field magnetization measurements on the saturation field are presented for the highly frustrated quasi-1D model compound Li2CuO2. We demonstrate, how the inter-chain coupling can be read off directly from the saturation field - in excellent agreement with results from inelastic neutron scattering. Predictions for the related compounds Ca2Y2Cu5O10 and Rb2Cu2Mo3O12 are presented. |
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