Direct observation of emergent ice-rule dynamics in a vertex-frustrated dipolar Cyrrhus lattice
Phys. Rev. Materials 9, 104410 – Published 16 October, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/1sn2-36v7
Abstract
We introduce the Cyrrhus spin ice geometry, a variant of decimated square ice patterns that exhibits a form of magnetic frustration known as vertex frustration. Using synchrotron-based photoemission electron microscopy, we present a temperature-dependent study of magnetic moment fluctuations in this dipolar Cyrrhus lattice. The results confirm key signatures of vertex frustration marked by an elevated presence of energetically unfavorable moment configurations and a strong adherence to an emergent ice rule. Analyzing the observed dynamics within the framework of the Thirumalai-Mountain stress metric reveals near-zero values for the relaxation exponent, suggesting ergodicity-breaking dynamics.
