A Three Dimensional Kasteleyn Transition: Spin Ice in a [100] Field}

Ludovic Jaubert (1) , J.T. Chalker (2) , Peter Holdsworth (1) , R. Moessner (2)

1 Phys-ENS - Laboratoire de Physique de l'ENS Lyon
2 Theoretical Physics, Oxford University

We examine the statistical mechanics of spin-ice materials with a magnetic field applied in the [100] direction. We show that the approach to saturated magnetisation is, in the low-temperature limit, an example of a three-dimensional Kasteleyn transition. It is a topological transition in the sense that magnetisation is changed only by excitations that span the entire system. We study the transition analytically and using a Monte Carlo cluster algorithm, and compare our results with recent data from neutron scattering on holmium titanate.

Mots clés: frustrated magnetism; spin ice; Kasteleyn transition; quantum phase transition

Domaines: Mécanique statistique [cond-mat.stat-mech]; Systèmes désordonnés et réseaux de neurones [cond-mat.dis-nn]; Electrons fortement corrélés [cond-mat.str-el]

Ludovic Jaubert, J.T. Chalker, Peter Holdsworth, R. Moessner. A Three Dimensional Kasteleyn Transition: Spin Ice in a [100] Field}. 2007. ⟨ensl-00176660v1⟩