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SLAC Researchers Confirm Existence of Altermagnetism, a Third Magnetic Phase
Key points
- SLAC-led team provided experimental proof of altermagnetism.
- Altermagnetism combines properties of ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism.
- Manganese telluride (MnTe) confirmed as an altermagnet.
- Discovery could lead to advanced electronics, quantum technologies.
Experimental Confirmation of Altermagnetism
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have published findings in Science providing experimental proof of altermagnetism. This establishes a third distinct magnetic phase, adding to the previously recognized ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism.
The scientific community has been gathering evidence for altermagnetism in recent years, observing phenomena that did not fit existing magnetic classifications. This research offers robust experimental confirmation for this new phase.
Manganese Telluride Identified as an Altermagnet
The study confirmed that manganese telluride (MnTe) is an altermagnet. Altermagnets are a new class of materials that exhibit characteristics of both ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism.
The experimental results showed direct evidence of chirality, an asymmetric magnetic structure, in the spins of the altermagnetic candidate material.
Implications for Advanced Electronics
The identification of altermagnetic materials could allow for the manipulation of their properties in ways suitable for advanced electronic applications. These applications include quantum technologies, memory devices, and data centers.
Understanding Magnetism
In physics, magnetism is a quantum property where a material's electron spins are polarized or ordered in a specific pattern. Ferromagnets have all electronic spins pointing in the same direction.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
A team led by SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has experimentally confirmed altermagnetism, a new magnetic phase, in manganese telluride (MnTe). This discovery provides a third category of magnetism beyond ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism, which could enable new advanced electronic applications.