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03/13/2024 13:10

Good prospects for altermagnets in spin-based electronics

Kathrin Voigt Kommunikation und Presse
Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

    Altermagnetic CrSb with promising characteristics for electronic applications

    Altermagnets represent a newly recognized class of materials in magnetism that could enable novel applications in spin-based electronics. Their magnetically ordered state consists of an antiparallel arrangement of microscopic magnetic moments, so-called spins, as in antiferromagnets. In contrast to antiferromagnetism, however, the altermagnetic state with zero net-magnetization enables the generation of electrical currents with spin polarization, as required in spin-based electronics. Thus, altermagnets combine the advantages of antiferromagnets, i.e., ultrafast dynamics, and ferromagnets, i.e., large spin polarization.

    In collaboration with a theoretical team led by Professor Jairo Sinova and Dr. Libor Šmejkal, experimental physicist Dr. Sonka Reimers and her colleagues in Professor Mathias Kläui's lab at the Institute of Physics at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have demonstrated altermagnetic electronic band splitting associated with spin polarization in CrSb. "The magnitude of this spitting, observed in a good conductor and at room temperature, is extraordinary and promising with regard to electronic applications of altermagnetic materials", said Professor Martin Jourdan, coordinator of the study recently published in Nature Communications.

    Image:
    https://download.uni-mainz.de/presse/08_physik_komet_altermagnetismus_crsb.jpg
    The crystal structure of altermagnetic CrSb: the colored bubbles around the Cr atoms (blue) correspond to iso-spin density surfaces. Their anisotropy enables spin polarized currents.
    ill./©: Libor Šmejkal and Anna Birk Hellenes / JGU


    Related links:
    https://www.klaeui-lab.physik.uni-mainz.de/ – Kläui Lab at the JGU Institute of Physics
    https://www.blogs.uni-mainz.de/fb08-iph-eng/ – JGU Institute of Physics


    Read more:
    https://press.uni-mainz.de/scientists-directly-observed-altermagnetism/ – press release "Scientists directly observed altermagnetism" (19 Feb. 2024)
    https://press.uni-mainz.de/altermagnetism-experimentally-demonstrated/ – press release "Altermagnetism experimentally demonstrated" (15 Feb. 2024)
    https://press.uni-mainz.de/efficient-read-out-in-antiferromagnetic-spintronics/ – press release "Efficient read-out in antiferromagnetic spintronics" (25 Nov. 2021)
    https://press.uni-mainz.de/detecting-damage-in-non-magnetic-steel-with-the-help-... – press release "Detecting damage in non-magnetic steel with the help of magnetism" (24 July 2018)
    https://press.uni-mainz.de/antiferromagnets-prove-their-potential-for-spin-based... – press release "Antiferromagnets prove their potential for spin-based information technology" (29 Jan. 2018)


    Contact for scientific information:

    Professor Dr. Martin Jourdan
    Condensed Matter Physics
    Institute of Physics
    Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
    55099 Mainz, GERMANY
    phone: +49 6131 39-23635
    e-mail: jourdan@uni-mainz.de
    https://www.klaeui-lab.physik.uni-mainz.de/martin-jourdan/


    Original publication:

    S. Reimers et al., Direct observation of altermagnetic band splitting in CrSb thin films, Nature Communications, 8 March 2024,
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46476-5
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-46476-5


    Images

    The crystal structure of altermagnetic CrSb: the colored bubbles around the Cr atoms (blue) correspond to iso-spin density surfaces. Their anisotropy enables spin polarized currents.
    The crystal structure of altermagnetic CrSb: the colored bubbles around the Cr atoms (blue) correspo ...

    ill./©: Libor Šmejkal and Anna Birk Hellenes / JGU


    Criteria of this press release:
    Journalists, Scientists and scholars, all interested persons
    Electrical engineering, Energy, Information technology, Materials sciences, Physics / astronomy
    transregional, national
    Research results, Scientific Publications
    English


     

    The crystal structure of altermagnetic CrSb: the colored bubbles around the Cr atoms (blue) correspond to iso-spin density surfaces. Their anisotropy enables spin polarized currents.


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