Stochastic hexagonal injectors in artificial spin ice

Abstract

Artificial spin ice (ASI) systems have emerged as powerful platforms for exploring the fundamental aspects of magnetic frustration and topological phenomena in condensed matter physics. In this study, we investigate the bountiful effects that result from introducing hexagonal magnetic defects into an ASI lattice. The stochastic stabilisation of a plethora of metastable states in the hexagonal defects are explored, as well as harnessing the defect magnetisation state for the selective injection of emergent monopoles of different polarities and proximities within the lattice. We demonstrate a mechanism for tailoring the ASI behaviour using the magnetic state of the defect, which is of interest to applications including magnetic memory devices and spin-based logic. Artificial spin ice systems are interesting material simulators for exploring magnetic frustration and topological phenomena in condensed matter physics. Here, the authors investigate the effects of hexagonal magnetic defects introduced into an artificial spin ice lattice, demonstrating the stochastic stabilisation of metastable magnetic configurations and local tuning of the system’s switching response.