Scientists have uncovered an elusive third form of magnetism called altermagnetism, which could unlock breakthroughs in superconductivity and memory technology. This groundbreaking discovery provides the missing piece to understanding how magnetic materials store and transfer information more securely.
Altermagnetism combines unique properties from two previously known types of magnetism—ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. In ferromagnetic materials, all magnetic spins align; in antiferromagnets, they oppose each other. Altermagnets have a structure where neighboring spins point in opposite directions but are slightly twisted, creating a blend of both properties.
The team led by Peter Wadley at the University of Nottingham discovered altermagnetism in manganese telluride, a material previously thought to be purely antiferromagnetic. Their findings were published in *Nature* on December 11 and could revolutionize memory devices by increasing their speed and resilience. Unlike antiferromagnets, which offer secure information storage but are hard to manipulate, altermagnets combine the strengths of both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic materials.
To study this new phenomenon, scientists used advanced imaging techniques like photoemission electron microscopy. By analyzing the material’s structure with circularly polarized light, they visualized the unique vortex textures formed in hexagonal and triangular devices. These vortices are seen as promising carriers of information in spintronics, a field focused on manipulating electron spins for next-generation technologies.
Altermagnetism also holds promise for advancing superconductivity research. The scientists noted that this new form of magnetism bridges the gap between magnetic materials and superconductors, potentially leading to new materials with enhanced properties.
With its ability to image and control altermagnetic textures, this discovery could pave the way for faster, more reliable memory devices and a deeper understanding of fundamental physics. As research progresses, scientists hope to harness altermagnetism to tackle challenges in both technology and physics.”
Source: https://www.livescience.com/physics-mathematics/scientists-discover-new-3rd-form-of-magnetism-that-may-be-the-missing-link-in-the-quest-for-superconductivity