Magnetic charge's relaxation propelled electricity in a two-dimensional magnetic honeycomb lattice*

Emerging new concepts, such as magnetic charge dynamics in two-dimensional magnetic material, can provide a novel mechanism for spin-based electrical transport at macroscopic length. In artificial spin ice of single domain elements, magnetic charge's relaxation can create an efficient electrical pathway for conduction by generating fluctuations in the local magnetic field that couple with conduction electron spins. In a first demonstration, we show that the electrical conductivity is propelled by more than an order of magnitude at room temperature due to magnetic charge defects sub-nanosecond relaxation in an artificial magnetic honeycomb lattice. For the first time, the neutron spin-echo (NSE) measurement technique is utilized to extract sub-nanosecond relaxation of magnetic charge defect dynamics in artificial spin ice. More importantly, we will also show that magnetic charges remain highly dynamic to the lowest measurement temperature in the artificial permalloy honeycomb lattice of single domain elements. The direct evidence of the proposed electrical conduction mechanism in a two-dimensional frustrated magnet points to the untapped potential for spintronic applications in this system.