A tiny squeeze dramatically changes the magnetism of exotic materials
Scientists have discovered that a simple mechanical squeeze can dramatically alter the magnetic properties and electrical behavior of exotic materials called altermagnets. The surprising breakthrough could open the door to faster, more energy-efficient electronics and new technologies for quantum computing.
Key points
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists found that small pressure changes the magnetic properties of altermagnets.
- The results appeared in two studies in Physical Review X and Advanced Materials.
- The work could support spintronics, which uses electron spin as well as charge.
Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have found that a small amount of pressure can sharply change the magnetic properties of a class of materials called altermagnets. The researchers used neutron experiments to show how a mechanical squeeze alters the materials' behavior, according to results reported in two studies in Physical Review X and Advanced Materials.
The work suggests a possible new way to control magnetism in materials being studied for advanced electronic technologies, including spintronics, which uses electron spin as well as electrical charge.
How the experiment worked
The ORNL team placed tiny crystals of manganese telluride and iron sulfide between two titanium plates and gently compressed them. Using neutron diffraction at ORNL's Spallation Neutron Source, the scientists examined the magnetic structures inside the crystals.
They found the pressure changed the relative populations of magnetic domains, regions with particular magnetic arrangements. The strain also altered an electrical phenomenon called the anomalous Hall effect, evidence that the squeeze affected the materials' electrical behavior.
By controlling the magnetic domains, we can directly influence the transport behavior, and that opens the door to exploring these materials for spintronic technologies
— Pengcheng Dai
What researchers said
Pengcheng Dai of Rice University, a former neutron scientist at ORNL, said controlling the magnetic domains lets researchers directly influence transport behavior, which "opens the door to exploring these materials for spintronic technologies."
Feng Ye, an ORNL neutron scientist and co-author on both publications, said a small mechanical squeeze between two plates can reveal entirely new magnetic behavior and push the field forward.
