Direct observation and control of magnetic monopole defects in an artificial spin-ice material

Magnetic monopoles have stimulated a great amount of theoretical and experimental interest since their prediction by Dirac in 1931. To date, their presence has evaded detection in high energy experiments despite intensive efforts. Recently, entities that mimic magnetic monopoles have been observed in bulk and planar frustrated materials known as spin-ice materials, and artificial spin-ice materials, respectively. In this paper we discuss the formation of these so-called monopole defects within a cobalt honeycomb artificial spin-ice lattice. Experimental results and micromagnetic simulations show that monopole defects of opposite sign are created at the boundaries of the lattice, and move in opposing directions. Discrepancies between simulations and experimental results demonstrate the importance of quenched disorder. Furthermore, we show that controlled edge nucleated monopole defect formation can be realized with the use of soft magnetic injection pads, which is a very promising development for technological applications based upon magnetic charge.