Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Optimizing Magnetic Force Microscopy Resolution and Sensitivity to Visualize Nanoscale Magnetic Domains
Published on: July 20, 2022
Brownian motion and quantum dynamics of magnetic monopoles in spin ice
L Bovo1, J A Bloxsom, D Prabhakaran
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, 17-19 Gordon Street, London WC1H OAH, UK. l.bovo@ucl.ac.uk
Abstract:
Spin ice illustrates many unusual magnetic properties, including zero point entropy, emergent monopoles and a quasi liquid-gas transition. To reveal the quantum spin dynamics that underpin these phenomena is an experimental challenge. Here we show how crucial information is contained in the frequency dependence of the magnetic susceptibility and in its high frequency or adiabatic limit. The typical response of Dy(2)Ti(2)O(7) spin ice indicates that monopole diffusion is Brownian but is underpinned by spin tunnelling and is influenced by collective monopole interactions. The adiabatic response reveals evidence of driven monopole plasma oscillations in weak applied field, and unconventional critical behaviour in strong applied field. Our results clarify the origin of the relatively high frequency response in spin ice. They disclose unexpected physics and establish adiabatic susceptibility as a revealing characteristic of exotic spin systems.
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
Magnetic Field due to Moving Charges
Consider a point charge moving with a constant velocity. Like the electric field, the magnetic field at any point is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the source point and the field point. However, unlike the electric field, the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the plane containing the line...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Overview
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Magnetic Moment
Motion Of A Charged Particle In A Magnetic Field
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Population Distribution

