Spin ice used to examine exotic properties of magnetic systems
Sunday, August 8, 2010 - 22:14
in Physics & Chemistry
Spin ice can be used to examine exotic properties of magnetic systems. Surprising observations have been made by physicists using magnetic islands only micrometers in size that are placed on a periodic lattice with honeycomb symmetry. When a magnetic field is applied, the system selects an unexpectedly ordered state, hazarding the consequences of having the like poles of the magnets (all south or all north) close together which is energetically unfavorable.