Separation of energy scales in the kagome antiferromagnet TmAgGe: a magnetic-field-orientation study up to 55 T

TmAgGe is an antiferromagnet in which the spins are confined to distorted kagome-like planes at low temperatures. We report angle-dependent measurements of the magnetization $M$ in fields of up to 55 T that show that there are two distinct and separate energy scales present in TmAgGe, each responsible for a set of step-like metamagnetic transitions; weak exchange interactions and strong crystalline electric field (CEF) interactions. Simulations of $M$ using a three-dimensional, free-energy minimization technique allow us to specify for the first time the physical origin of the metamagnetic transitions in low, in-plane fields. We also show that the transitions observed with the field perpendicular to the kagome planes are associated with the CEF-split multiplet of Tm.