Scientists at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered that applying a small amount of pressure can dramatically alter the magnetic properties of a promising new class of materials called altermagnets. Using neutron experiments, the researchers uncovered how a simple mechanical squeeze can change the way these materials behave, offering a potential new approach to controlling magnetism.
The results, reported in two consecutive studies published in Physical Review X and Advanced Materials, show that mechanical strain can influence both magnetic structures and the movement of electrons. This ability could provide a straightforward way to control materials being investigated for advanced electronic technologies.
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