Researchers using ISIS recognised for magnetic monopoles

The 2012 Europhysics Prize for condensed matter physics has been awarded to ISIS neutron user Professor Steve Bramwell (London Centre for Nanotechnology and University College London), Claudio Castelnovo (Royal Holloway University of London and ISIS Theoretical Physics Group) and their colleagues, for the prediction and measurement of magnetic monopoles in spin ice.

Advanced materials research depends greatly on having access to central research labs like ISIS, the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) world leading research centre. Neutron scattering has been critical at all stages of this research giving unique information unmatched by any other experimental technique.

Steve Bramwell, and his collaborator Mark Harris in experiments at ISIS, first discovered and named the unusual magnetic material ‘spin ice’ in 1997, drawing attention to certain similarities found within water ice.

This laid the foundation for Claudio Castelnovo’s 2008 prediction of effective magnetic monopoles in spin ice, analogous to electrical charges.

Then in October 2009, experiments at ISIS and elsewhere by Bramwell and others proved the existence of these monopoles. Bramwell coined the term ‘magnetricity’ to describe this similarity of currents of magnetic monopoles to electrical currents.

"It’s not often in physics you get the chance to ask 'How do you measure something?' and then go on to prove a theory unequivocally. It’s early stages but who knows what the applications of magnetic monopoles could be in 100 years time," said Professor Steve Bramwell

The Europhysics Prize – one of Europe’s most prestigious awards in the field of condensed matter physics – is awarded every two years, in recognition of excellent work by one or more individuals by the European Physics Society Condensed Matter Division.