Work

Direct observation of emergent ice-rule dynamics in a vertex-frustrated dipolar Cyrrhus lattice

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We introduce the Cyrrhus spin ice geometry, a variant of decimated square ice patterns that exhibits a form of magnetic frustration known as vertex frustration. Using synchrotron-based photoemission electron microscopy, we present a temperature-dependent study of magnetic moment fluctuations in this dipolar Cyrrhus lattice. The results confirm key signatures of vertex frustration marked by an elevated presence of energetically unfavorable moment configurations and a strong adherence to an emergent ice rule. Analyzing the observed dynamics within the framework of the Thirumalai-Mountain stress metric reveals near-zero values for the relaxation exponent, suggesting ergodicity-breaking dynamics.

Source: Physical Review Materials

DOI: 10.1103/1sn2-36v7

Authors: Davis Crater, Ryan Mueller, Duncan Miertschin, Scott Dhuey, Kevin Hofhuis, Alan Farhan

Institutions: Baylor University, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Molecular Foundry, Paul Scherrer Institute

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Condensed Matter Physics

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science