Spin-Ice Thin Films: Large-N Theory and Monte Carlo Simulations
We explore the physics of highly frustrated magnets in confined geometries, focusing on the Coulomb phase of pyrochlore spin ices. As a specific example, we investigate thin films of nearest-neighbor spin ice, using a combination of analytic large-N techniques and Monte Carlo simulations. In the sim...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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American Physical Society
2018-05-01
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| Series: | Physical Review X |
| Online Access: | http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.8.021053 |
| _version_ | 1818733756622569472 |
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| author | Étienne Lantagne-Hurtubise Jeffrey G. Rau Michel J. P. Gingras |
| author_facet | Étienne Lantagne-Hurtubise Jeffrey G. Rau Michel J. P. Gingras |
| author_sort | Étienne Lantagne-Hurtubise |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We explore the physics of highly frustrated magnets in confined geometries, focusing on the Coulomb phase of pyrochlore spin ices. As a specific example, we investigate thin films of nearest-neighbor spin ice, using a combination of analytic large-N techniques and Monte Carlo simulations. In the simplest film geometry, with surfaces perpendicular to the [001] crystallographic direction, we observe pinch points in the spin-spin correlations characteristic of a two-dimensional Coulomb phase. We then consider the consequences of crystal symmetry breaking on the surfaces of the film through the inclusion of orphan bonds. We find that when these bonds are ferromagnetic, the Coulomb phase is destroyed by the presence of fluctuating surface magnetic charges, leading to a classical Z_{2} spin liquid. Building on this understanding, we discuss other film geometries with surfaces perpendicular to the [110] or the [111] direction. We generically predict the appearance of surface magnetic charges and discuss their implications for the physics of such films, including the possibility of an unusual Z_{3} classical spin liquid. Finally, we comment on open questions and promising avenues for future research. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T23:54:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9c26c175598e46bc9be7b55b94b0710c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2160-3308 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T23:54:32Z |
| publishDate | 2018-05-01 |
| publisher | American Physical Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Physical Review X |
| spelling | doaj.art-9c26c175598e46bc9be7b55b94b0710c2022-12-21T21:28:06ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review X2160-33082018-05-018202105310.1103/PhysRevX.8.021053Spin-Ice Thin Films: Large-N Theory and Monte Carlo SimulationsÉtienne Lantagne-HurtubiseJeffrey G. RauMichel J. P. GingrasWe explore the physics of highly frustrated magnets in confined geometries, focusing on the Coulomb phase of pyrochlore spin ices. As a specific example, we investigate thin films of nearest-neighbor spin ice, using a combination of analytic large-N techniques and Monte Carlo simulations. In the simplest film geometry, with surfaces perpendicular to the [001] crystallographic direction, we observe pinch points in the spin-spin correlations characteristic of a two-dimensional Coulomb phase. We then consider the consequences of crystal symmetry breaking on the surfaces of the film through the inclusion of orphan bonds. We find that when these bonds are ferromagnetic, the Coulomb phase is destroyed by the presence of fluctuating surface magnetic charges, leading to a classical Z_{2} spin liquid. Building on this understanding, we discuss other film geometries with surfaces perpendicular to the [110] or the [111] direction. We generically predict the appearance of surface magnetic charges and discuss their implications for the physics of such films, including the possibility of an unusual Z_{3} classical spin liquid. Finally, we comment on open questions and promising avenues for future research.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.8.021053 |
| spellingShingle | Étienne Lantagne-Hurtubise Jeffrey G. Rau Michel J. P. Gingras Spin-Ice Thin Films: Large-N Theory and Monte Carlo Simulations Physical Review X |
| title | Spin-Ice Thin Films: Large-N Theory and Monte Carlo Simulations |
| title_full | Spin-Ice Thin Films: Large-N Theory and Monte Carlo Simulations |
| title_fullStr | Spin-Ice Thin Films: Large-N Theory and Monte Carlo Simulations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spin-Ice Thin Films: Large-N Theory and Monte Carlo Simulations |
| title_short | Spin-Ice Thin Films: Large-N Theory and Monte Carlo Simulations |
| title_sort | spin ice thin films large n theory and monte carlo simulations |
| url | http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.8.021053 |
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