Scientists switch on a strange new form of magnetism in an ultrathin material
Researchers have discovered that ruthenium dioxide, typically nonmagnetic, exhibits a rare form of magnetism called altermagnetism when prepared as an ultrathin film. This discovery could lead to the development of faster and more efficient computer memory.
Why it matters
Identifying new magnetic states in materials is essential for the next generation of spintronics and high-performance computing hardware.
A recently proposed form of magnetism known as altermagnetism could eventually help researchers make computer memory smaller, faster, and more efficient. Now, scientists have found evidence that ruthenium dioxide, a quantum material previously considered nonmagnetic in its bulk form, may display this unusual magnetic behavior when prepared as an ultrathin film only a few atomic layers thick.
The article reports on material science research and its potential industrial applications.
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