Researchers at the Swiss Light Source (SLS) have provided the experimental evidence for altermagnetism- the new branch of magnetism, which has now been documented in Nature.
Key Points about Altermagnetism:
- Definition and Discovery: Altermagnetism is a newly discovered magnetic phase where spins alternate similar to antiferromagnets, resulting in no macroscopic net magnetization. However, unlike typical antiferromagnets where spin cancellation is complete, altermagnets exhibit a unique electronic band structure. The crystal symmetries cause a strong spin polarization that flips direction across different energy bands.
- Comparison with Other Magnetic Phases:
- Ferromagnets:
In ferromagnetic materials, all spins align in the same direction, which leads to a net magnetic moment (like the magnets that stick to your fridge). - Antiferromagnets:
Antiferromagnetic materials have alternating spin directions, canceling each other out, and thus do not exhibit macroscopic magnetism. - Altermagnets:
They combine aspects of both: while the alternating spins lead to zero net magnetization, the specific crystal symmetry generates properties that mimic certain ferromagnetic behaviors and even introduce entirely new characteristics.
- Ferromagnets:
- Implications for Spintronics: Altermagnets open up novel possibilities for next-generation magnetic memory technology. Their unique electronic properties could lead to devices that are faster, more energy-efficient, and capable of storing more data compared to traditional magnetic materials.
(Source: Phys)
