Physicists Verify the Presence of a New Type of Magnetism

Physicists in Sweden have successfully controlled a newly discovered form of magnetism, opening exciting possibilities for advancements in electronics, from memory storage to energy efficiency.

A team led by researchers from the University of Nottingham used high-speed electron accelerators to bombard an ultra-thin wafer of manganese telluride with X-rays of different polarizations. This allowed them to observe nanoscale magnetic activity unlike anything seen before.

Magnetism arises when unpaired electrons align their quantum property known as spin. In conventional ferromagnetic materials like iron and nickel, these spins align uniformly, creating strong magnetic forces. In contrast, antiferromagnets arrange electron spins in opposite directions, canceling out the magnetic effect.

Altermagnetism: A Newly Confirmed Form of Magnetism with Revolutionary Potential

Now, scientists have confirmed a third form of magnetism called altermagnetism. Unlike antiferromagnets, altermagnetic materials exhibit a subtle rotational shift in their electron spin arrangement, allowing localized magnetic forces on a nanoscale. While too weak to hold a magnet to your fridge, these materials hold great promise for data storage and energy applications.

“Altermagnets have magnetic moments that point antiparallel to their neighbors,” explains University of Nottingham physicist Peter Wadley. “However, each part of the crystal is slightly rotated, creating a unique twist with significant implications.”

Although altermagnetism had been theorized, directly manipulating its microscopic magnetic patterns had remained a challenge. Wadley and his colleagues achieved this by distorting a nanometer-thin sheet of manganese telluride to create distinct magnetic whirlpools on its surface. Using Sweden’s MAX IV synchrotron, they successfully imaged and controlled these structures for the first time.

Bridging Theory and Reality: A Breakthrough in Magnetic Materials

“Our work bridges theoretical predictions with real-world realization, paving the way for practical applications,” says physicist Oliver Amin, who led the research with PhD student Alfred Dal Din.

While still in early stages, altermagnetic materials could revolutionize spin-based memory and computing. They may also provide new insights into high-temperature superconductors, a major goal in materials science.

“For me, being among the first to explore this promising new class of magnetism during my PhD has been both a challenging and rewarding experience,” adds Dal Din.

Read Original Article: Science Alert

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