We present an extensive study of the oxyborate material ${\text{Co}}_5\text{Ti}{\left({\text{O}}_2{\text{BO}}_3\right)}_2$ using x-ray, magnetic, and thermodynamic measurements. This material belongs to a family of oxyborates known as ludwigites which presents low-dimensional subunits in the form of three leg ladders in its structure. Differently from previously investigated ludwigites the present material does not show long-range magnetic order although it goes into a spin-glass state at low temperatures. The different techniques employed in this paper allow for a characterization of the structure, the nature of the low-energy excitations and the magnetic anisotropy of this system. Its unique magnetic behavior is discussed and compared with those of other magnetic ludwigites.

• Received 16 October 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.81.024432