Prelims–Current events of National and International Importance| Science & Technology
Why in News?
Scientists at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have confirmed the existence of a third fundamental class of magnetism called altermagnetism.
The Material – The team, led by researcher Daniel Jost alongside colleagues from Stanford, studied manganese telluride (MnTe), a material previously categorized as a standard antiferromagnet.
The Proof (Chirality)– Using polarized X-rays at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France, the researchers detected an intrinsic chiral "handedness" in the material's magnetic structure—resembling a spiral staircase—which is physically impossible in a conventional antiferromagnet.
Best of Both Worlds– Altermagnets cancel out overall magnetic moments (meaning zero net magnetization, like antiferromagnets) while simultaneously featuring strongly polarized electron spins and rapid dynamics (like ferromagnets).
Potential Applications– The discovery could fast-track next-generation spintronics, energy-efficient data centers, quantum devices, and advanced memory systems.
