Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery at the Swiss Light Source (SLS) that could revolutionize technology as we know it. They have uncovered the existence of a new type of magnetism, called altermagnetism, which has significant implications for various fields, including spintronics.
Altermagnetism is the latest addition to the magnetic family, joining the familiar ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic branches. Unlike its predecessors, altermagnetism exhibits a unique combination of spin arrangements and crystal symmetries. In altermagnetic materials, spins alternate similarly to antiferromagnets, resulting in no net magnetization. However, the symmetries in these materials give rise to a strong spin polarization that flips direction as one moves through the material’s energy bands.
The discovery of altermagnetism opens up exciting possibilities in the field of spintronics, which utilizes both the charge and spin of electrons to carry information. Traditionally, spintronics has relied on ferromagnets for its devices, but these suffer from practical limitations due to their macroscopic net magnetization.
Antiferromagnets offer scalability and energy efficiency but lack the strong spin-dependent effects found in ferromagnets. Altermagnets combine the best of both worlds, offering zero net magnetization along with the desired spin-dependent phenomena.
The journey to uncovering altermagnetism began with theoretical predictions made by researchers in 2019. These predictions identified a class of magnetic materials with spin structures that did not fit within the classic descriptions of ferromagnetism or antiferromagnetism.
Subsequent experiments conducted at the SLS using advanced spectroscopy techniques confirmed the existence of altermagnetism in crystals of manganese telluride. By detecting the characteristic alternating splitting of energy levels corresponding to opposite spin states, researchers were able to distinguish altermagnetic behavior from conventional ferromagnetism or antiferromagnetism.
The discovery of altermagnetism has far-reaching implications beyond spintronics. It enriches our understanding of condensed-matter physics and offers a promising platform for exploring unconventional superconductivity. Altermagnetic materials could pave the way for the development of new technologies and applications in various fields.
With the existence of altermagnetism now confirmed, researchers anticipate a surge of interest and exploration in this emerging field. Many crystals with altermagnetic properties have been identified, presenting numerous opportunities for further research and development. As scientists delve deeper into the properties and potential applications of altermagnetism, we can expect to see exciting advancements that push the boundaries of what is possible in technology and science.
