Abstract

There is an elegant simplicity to the geometrical design of ‘artificial spin ice’ metamaterials. This simplicity belies their great utility in the realisation and study of phenomena observed in particle systems far from equilibrium. From its very beginning, the allure of studies in artificial spin ice has been through the opportunities provided to address topics of fundamental scientific interest within entirely new contexts. The physics studied has included topics that range from field theory to nonlinear dynamics, and recent works have even opened a new door for studies of fundamental thermodynamics. These studies represent a first step along a path into an uncharted territory—a landscape of new advanced functional materials in which topological effects on physical properties can be explored and harnessed. [1-2]

In this talk, I will discuss patterned magnetic arrays from the point of view of their potential as advanced functional materials. Examples will be provided of how certain properties can be designed, such as macroscopic cross ties, and of some of the surprising features that can emerge when the designs are tested in real materials. A central theme of the talk will be chirality in spin systems—its manifestation as skyrmionic and helicoidal textures, the possibility of its emergence in artificially designed structures, and potentials for its application. [3-4]

1. Heyderman, L. J., and Stamps, R. L., “Artificial ferroic systems: novel functionality from structure, interactions and dynamics”, Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 25 (36), 363201 (2013). 2. Cumings, J., Heyderman, L. J., Marrows, C. H., and Stamps, R. L., “Focus on artificial frustrated systems”, New Journal of Physics, 16 (7), 075016 (2014). 3. Silva, R. L., Secchin, L. D. , Moura-Melo, W. A. , Pereira, A. R., and Stamps, R. L., “Emergence of skyrmion lattices and bimerons in chiral magnetic thin films with nonmagnetic impurities”, Physical Review B, 89 (5), 054434 (2014). 4. Garcia-Sanchez, F., Borys, P., Vansteenkiste, A., Kim, J.-V., and Stamps, R. L., “Nonreciprocal spin-wave channeling along textures driven by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction”, Physical Review B, 89 (22), 224408 (2014).