Ordered Phase of the Dipolar Spin Ice under [110]-Magnetic Fields

TL;DR

This paper identifies the true ground state of dipolar spin ice under [110]-magnetic fields as the "Q=X" structure, confirms a first order phase transition via Monte Carlo simulations, and maps the phase diagram.

Contribution

It reveals the true ground state and phase transition nature of dipolar spin ice under specific magnetic fields through combined theoretical and simulation approaches.

Findings

The ground state is the "Q=X" structure under [110]-field.

A first order phase transition occurs at fields above 0.35 T.

The phase diagram of the system is mapped.

Abstract

We find that the true ground state of the dipolar spin ice system under [110]-magnetic fields is the ``Q=X'' structure, which is consistent with both experiments and Monte Carlo simulations. We then perform a Monte Carlo simulation to confirm that there exists a first order phase transition under the [110]-field. In particular this result indicates the existence of the first order phase transition to the ``Q=X'' phase in the field above 0.35 T for Dy2Ti2O7. We also show the magnetic field-temperature phase diagram to summarize the ordered states of this system.