Magnetic materials are traditionally classified as ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic, with the discovery of a new class called altermagnetism. This new class combines properties of both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic materials, with potential applications in spintronics technology. Altermagnetic materials are challenging to identify, but a research group led by Associate Professor Atsushi Hariki from Osaka Metropolitan University developed a new method using manganese telluride as a testbed.
The microscopic origin of magnetism lies in the alignment of electron spins in materials. In ferromagnetic materials, all spins point in the same direction, while in antiferromagnetic materials, spins are aligned in opposite directions, canceling each other out. Altermagnetic materials theoretically possess properties of both, making them potentially useful for next-generation magnetic memories in spintronics technology.
Professor Hariki’s research group utilized a supercomputer to predict a unique fingerprint of altermagnetism in X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). By measuring the absorption difference between left- and right-circularly polarized light, they were able to experimentally demonstrate the XMCD spectrum for altermagnetic manganese telluride for the first time at the Diamond Light Source synchrotron in England.
The results of the study showed that XMCD is an effective method for identifying altermagnetic materials, potentially accelerating their application in spintronics technology. The discovery of altermagnetism opens up new possibilities for designing and developing materials with unique magnetic properties and applications in electronic devices.
Further research into altermagnetic materials could lead to advances in spintronics technology and the development of more efficient and versatile electronic devices. By understanding and harnessing the properties of altermagnets, scientists and engineers may be able to create innovative solutions for a wide range of technological challenges in the future.
Overall, the discovery and identification of altermagnetic materials represent a significant step forward in the field of magnetism and spintronics technology. The potential applications and implications of these materials are vast, with the ability to revolutionize electronic devices and technologies in the near future. As research continues in this area, new possibilities and breakthroughs are likely to emerge, leading to further advancements in the field of magnetism and materials science.
