The University of Vienna has created a 3D magnetic network that allows for magnetic monopoles to emerge from rising magnetic frustration among nanoelements. They are also stable at room temperatures. Credit: Sabri Koraltan University of ViennaThree-dimensional (3D) 3D nano-networks promise a new age in modern solid-state physics. They have many applications in photonics and bio-medicine as well as spintronics. 3D magnetic nano-architectures are possible to create ultra-fast, low-energy data storage devices. These systems can produce magnetic charges, or magnetic monopoles, due to the competing magnetic interactions. These magnetic monopoles could be used as mobile, binary information carriers. Researchers from the University of Vienna have created the 3D first artificial spin ice lattice that hosts unbound magnetic charge. In the journal npj Computational Materials, researchers have demonstrated for the first time that the magnetic monopoles in the new lattice are stable at room temperatures and can be controlled by external magnetic fields.In a class called spin ices, emergent magnetic monopoles can be observed. Their controllability is limited by their atomic scales and need for low temperatures. This resulted in the creation of 2D artificial spun ice. Here, single atomic moments have been replaced by magnetic nano-islands that are arranged on different lattices. This allowed for the study of emergent magnet monopoles on larger platforms. The magnetic orientation of nano-islands can be reversed to propagate the monopoles further. A trace is left behind. This trace, also known as Dirac Strings is necessary to store energy and bind the Monopoles, restricting their mobility.Sabri Koraltan, Florian Slanovc and Dieter Suess, University of Vienna researchers, have created a 3D artificial spun ice lattice, which combines the best of both atomic and 2D spin ices.The benefits of the new lattice have been studied in cooperation with Nanomagnetism and Magnonics group at University of Vienna and Theoretical Division of Los Alamos Laboratory (USA) using micromagnetic simulations. Flat 2D nano-islands have been replaced by magnetic rotational Ellipsoids. A high-symmetry, three-dimensional lattice has also been used. Sabri Koraltan is one of the first authors of this study. Researchers took their study to the next level. They used external magnetic fields to simulate one magnetic monopole propagating through the lattice. This demonstrated its potential as an information carrier in a 3D magnetic network.Sabri Koraltan says, "We use the third dimension of the new lattice and high symmetry to unbind magnetic monopoles and move them in desired direction, almost like true electrons." Florian Slanovc, the other first-author, concludes that "The thermal stability and high temperature of the monopoles at room temperature or above could be the foundation for a ground-breaking new generation of 3D storage technologyonologies."The study was published by npj Computational Materials.Continue reading Breakthrough in 3D Magnetic Nanostructures Could Transform Modern-Day ComputingMore information: Sabri Koraltan and colleagues, Tension-free Dirac strings, steered magnet charges in 3D artificial spun ice, npj Computational Materials (2021). Sabri Koraltan and colleagues, Tension-free Dirac string and steered magnet charges in 3D artificial spun ice, (2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41524-021-00593-7
