Far-from-equilibrium monopole dynamics in spin ice

Abstract

Condensed matter in the low-temperature limit reveals exotic physics associated with unusual orders and excitations, with examples ranging from helium superfluidity to magnetic monopoles in spin ice. The far-from-equilibrium physics of such low-temperature states may be even more exotic, yet to access it in the laboratory remains a challenge. Here we demonstrate a simple and robust technique - the 'magnetothermal avalanche quench' - and its use in the controlled creation of non-equilibrium populations of magnetic monopoles in spin ice at millikelvin temperatures. These populations are found to exhibit spontaneous dynamical effects that typify far-from-equilibrium systems and yet are captured by simple models. Our method thus opens new directions in the study of far-from-equilibrium states in spin ice and other exotic magnets. © 2014 Macmillan Publishers Limited.