Revolutionizing electronics: physicists have uncovered a new form of magnetism.

During the experiment, physicists demonstrated the existence of a third form of magnetism, termed alter magnetism. They employed a device that accelerates electrons to tremendous speeds, irradiated a thin plate of manganese telluride with X-rays, and discovered a form of magnetism that had never been observed before. This discovery will aid in the development of new electronics and enhance existing technologies. The research has been published in the journal Nature, reports ScienceAlert.

For a long time, physicists have known that there are two forms of magnetism: ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. In ferromagnets, which respond strongly to magnetic fields, the electrons in the atoms are arranged in such a way that they are parallel to one another. In antiferromagnets, which respond poorly to magnetic fields, the electrons move in opposite directions and cancel each other out. Thus, ferromagnetic materials are strong magnets, whereas antiferromagnetic materials do not exhibit magnetic properties over large distances.

For several years, physicists have speculated that a third form of magnetism exists, but there was no direct evidence for this, and scientists were also unsure how to manipulate this phenomenon. Now, as a result of the experiment, physicists have proven the existence of a third unusual arrangement of electrons in ferromagnetic materials, and this form of magnetism has been named alter magnetism.

According to scientists, alter magnetism possesses properties of both ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. This means that alter magnets are not strong magnets, but their properties can be utilized for data storage or energy direction.

The researchers also demonstrated that it is possible to control tiny magnetic vortices in alter magnetic materials, which can be used to modify their properties and adapt them for practical applications.

The unusual magnetic vortices were discovered by physicists during an experiment with manganese telluride. Using an electron accelerator, the scientists irradiated the material with X-rays and visualized alter magnetism in action.

The scientists believe that several dozen different alloys may possess alter magnetic properties, but this still needs to be verified. In any case, the discovery paves the way for the creation of alter magnetic materials that can be used to develop new, more powerful magnetic data storage systems and other electronics.