Altermagnetism discovery honored with European physics prize
The third fundamental class of magnetism makes waves in the scientific community.
1Groundbreaking discovery
Altermagnetism has been identified as a third fundamental class of magnetism, alongside the known two (ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism). This discovery opens new research avenues in materials science and electronics.
2Prestigious award
The 2026 Europhysics Prize from the European Physical Society's (EPS) Condensed Matter Division was awarded to Prof. Sinova and his team for this significant discovery. The prize is considered one of Europe's most prestigious physics awards.
3Discovery team
Prof. Jairo Sinova from Johannes Gutenberg University, Dr. Libor Šmejkal, and Prof. Tomas Jungwirth made history by theoretically proposing and experimentally confirming the concept of altermagnetism.
4Scientific implications
The discovery of altermagnetism could lead to significant advances in spintronic devices and quantum computing. It represents a new paradigm in the design of magnetic materials.
5Industrial applications
This discovery has potential applications ranging from data storage technologies to energy-efficient electronics. It could play a crucial role in developing low-power consumption devices.
6Scientific milestone
The identification of altermagnetism expands our fundamental understanding of physics and ushers in a new era in materials science research. This discovery may form the foundation for future technological innovations.