# Scientists Discover Third Form of Magnetism, Winning 2026 Europhysics Prize Researchers identify altermagnetism, a fundamental magnetic phase hidden for over a century. - **Source:** [Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily](https://brifing.si/source/0eef8637-6c5b-4e79-8f5b-6c9c6b36cf16) - **Published:** 2026-10-18 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/7e31146e-0cba-462a-9db5-50393a4c9b45 ## Discovery of Altermagnetism Physicists have identified altermagnetism, a previously unknown third category of collinear magnetism. This breakthrough challenges a century-old scientific paradigm that limited magnetic behavior to ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. The discovery reveals a hidden symmetry class of matter, opening significant new pathways for research into quantum materials and advanced electronic device architectures. ## Prestigious Award Recognition The European Physical Society awarded the 2026 Europhysics Prize to Jairo Sinova, Libor Smejkal, and Tomas Jungwirth. This honor recognizes their foundational work in establishing altermagnetism as a distinct magnetic order. The ceremony is scheduled for September 2026 at the 32nd General Conference of the Condensed Matter Division in Graz, Austria. ## Collaborative Research Origins The breakthrough resulted from a long-term collaboration between Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Libor Smejkal played a pivotal role during his eight-year tenure at Mainz, bridging theoretical frameworks with experimental spintronics. Their joint efforts successfully identified patterns that had remained unnoticed for decades. ## Theoretical and Experimental Validation Researchers utilized advanced mathematical symmetry approaches to predict altermagnetic behavior. Following the 2022 publication of their comprehensive classification, experimental teams globally verified these predictions. Methods including angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and electrical transport measurements confirmed the existence of this magnetic phase in hundreds of materials, validating the team's initial theoretical models. ## Unique Magnetic Characteristics Altermagnets possess magnetic moments that cancel out, similar to antiferromagnets, yet they exhibit electron properties typically associated with ferromagnets. This unique combination allows for strongly polarized electron spins and rapid magnetic dynamics. These specific physical characteristics make altermagnetic materials highly promising candidates for developing the next generation of high-speed spintronic information technologies. ## Broader Scientific Implications The significance of this discovery extends beyond standard electronics into complex quantum phenomena. Altermagnetism provides new insights into topological phenomena and unconventional superconductivity. By revealing how electron spins interact within specific crystal structures, the research connects previously isolated observations into a unified framework, fundamentally altering the current understanding of condensed matter physics. ## Rapid Field Expansion Since the initial identification, altermagnetism has become a highly active research area. Hundreds of scientific papers have been published, and the topic now features prominently at international physics conferences. The growing community is currently focused on exploring both the fundamental properties of these materials and their potential integration into future computing hardware. ## Legacy of the Breakthrough This discovery demonstrates that even mature scientific fields can still yield fundamental surprises after more than a century of study. By identifying a previously unrecognized symmetry class, the researchers have provided a new foundation for future innovation. Their work marks a major milestone in physics, shifting the trajectory of quantum material research globally. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/10/261017230035.htm — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._