New magnetic phase could boost quantum tech and data centers

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have experimentally confirmed altermagnetism, establishing a third recognized magnetic phase distinct from ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. Published in Science, the findings deliver conclusive proof of a phenomenon first proposed in 2022, and directly observe chirality, an asymmetric, spiral-like magnetic structure, within manganese telluride (MnTe). Identifying these materials could enable advances in quantum technologies, memory devices and data centers. This confirmation, coming just four years after the initial postulate, highlights a rapid pace of advancement in the field of magnetism. The team used advanced techniques to visualize this chiral signature, solidifying the classification of altermagnetism as a unique…