Modified anisotropy and distinct phase diagrams in the nearly isotropic $S=1$ triangular-lattice antiferromagnet $\mathrm{Rb_2Ni(SeO_3)_2}$

Abstract: The triangular-lattice antiferromagnet serves as a benchmark platform for realizing exotic quantum phases, in which magnetic anisotropy plays an essential role. In this work, we report modified magnetic anisotropy and phase diagrams in the nearly isotropic $S=1$ triangular-lattice antiferromagnet $\mathrm{Rb_2Ni(SeO_3)<em>2}$, compared with those of its isostructural analog $\mathrm{K_2Ni(SeO_3)_2}$. The magnetic susceptibility of $\mathrm{Rb_2Ni(SeO_3)_2}$ exhibits an easy-axis anisotropy with $g_c &gt; g</em>{ab}$, opposite to the easy-plane anisotropy observed in $\mathrm{K_2Ni(SeO_3)_2}$. The single Néel transition observed at zero field splits into two transitions at around 10~T, and a magnetization plateau is observed between 21~T and 37~T for both out-of-plane ($H\parallel c$) and in-plane ($H\parallel ab$) field directions in $\mathrm{Rb_2Ni(SeO_3)_2}$. We construct magnetic phase diagrams that are distinct between $\mathrm{Rb_2Ni(SeO_3)_2}$ and $\mathrm{K_2Ni(SeO_3)_2}$. These findings highlight the sensitivity of field-induced magnetic phase behavior to anisotropy in nearly isotropic triangular-lattice antiferromagnets.