Domain dynamics and fluctuations in artificial square ice at finite temperatures

Budrikis, Z., Livesey, K.L., Morgan, J.P., Akerman, J., Stein, A., Langridge, S., Marrows, C.H. and Stamps, R.L. (2012) Domain dynamics and fluctuations in artificial square ice at finite temperatures. New Journal of Physics, 14(3), 035014. (doi: 10.1088/1367-2630/14/3/035014)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/14/3/035014

Abstract

The thermally driven formation and evolution of vertex domains is studied for square artificial spin ice. A self-consistent mean-field theory is used to show how domains of ground state ordering form spontaneously, and how these evolve in the presence of disorder. The role of fluctuations is studied using Monte Carlo simulations and analytical modelling. Domain wall dynamics are shown to be driven by a biasing of random fluctuations towards processes that shrink closed domains, and fluctuations within domains are shown to generate isolated small excitations, which may stabilize as the effective temperature is lowered. Domain dynamics and fluctuations are determined by interaction strengths, which are controlled by inter-element spacing. The role of interaction strength is studied via experiments and Monte Carlo simulations. Our mean-field model is applicable to ferroelectric 'spin' ice, and we show that features similar to those of magnetic spin ice can be expected, but with different characteristic temperatures and rates.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Stamps, Professor Robert and Budrikis, Ms Zoe
Authors: Budrikis, Z., Livesey, K.L., Morgan, J.P., Akerman, J., Stein, A., Langridge, S., Marrows, C.H., and Stamps, R.L.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:New Journal of Physics
ISSN:1367-2630
ISSN (Online):1367-2630

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