The Kasteleyn transition in three dimensions: spin ice in a [100] field

TL;DR

This paper investigates the three-dimensional Kasteleyn transition in spin ice under a [100] magnetic field, combining numerical simulations and analytical methods to deepen understanding of its thermodynamics and experimental relevance.

Contribution

It confirms the nature of the transition as a Kasteleyn transition using novel non-local algorithms and Bethe lattice analysis, providing a comprehensive thermodynamic description.

Findings

Confirmation of the Kasteleyn transition in 3D spin ice

Development of a thermodynamic framework for the transition

Relevance to neutron scattering experiments

Abstract

We discuss the nearest neighbour spin ice model in the presence of a magnetic field placed along the cubic [100] direction. As recently shown in Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 067207, 2008, the symmetry sustaining ordering transition observed at low temperature is a three dimensional Kasteleyn transition. We confirm this with numerical data using a non-local algorithm that conserves the topological constraints at low temperature and from analytic calculations from a Bethe lattice of corner sharing tetrahedra . We present a thermodynamic description of the Kasteleyn transition and discuss the relevance of our results to recent neutron scattering experiments on spin ice materials.