Drawing inspiration from the discoveries of Einstein and De Haas, a team of scientists has uncovered a peculiar ultrafast movement in layered magnetic substances.
The layered iron phosphorus trisulfide undergoes shearing as electron spins become scrambled when subjected to a light pulse. This phenomenon was captured with the help of cutting-edge imaging technology. The Argonne National Laboratory provided a visual representation of the ordered and scrambled spins in the material.
The ultrafast mechanical movement connected to a change in the magnetic state in this layered structure may be of use in nanoscale devices that demand rapid and precise control over motion.
Iron-containing materials, known as ferromagnets, have properties that allow a common metal paper clip to adhere to a magnet. This phenomenon was investigated over a century ago by physicists Albert Einstein and Wander de Haas. They observed that an iron cylinder, when suspended and exposed to a reversing magnetic field, would begin to rotate.
Haidan Wen from Argonne National Laboratory likened Einstein and de Haas’s experiment to a magical performance, where the cylinder’s rotation is induced without physical contact. Alfred Zong from the University of California, Berkeley, also noted that this experiment showcased the interplay between microscopic electron spins and a macroscopic object.
The scientists published their findings in Nature, detailing a comparable effect in an antiferromagnet. This discovery could have a significant impact on devices like high-speed nanomotors in the medical field, especially in applications like nanorobots.
A key difference between ferromagnets and antiferromagnets is the orientation of electron spins. In ferromagnets, they align in the same direction, while in antiferromagnets, they alternate, nullifying each other’s effects. The team sought to explore whether an antiferromagnet could react in a similar yet distinct way to the Einstein-de Haas experiment.
Using iron phosphorus trisulfide (FePS3), the team designed experiments that employed ultrafast laser pulses to study the changes in the material’s properties. They discovered that the laser pulses scrambled the electron spins, causing the layers of the sample to slide back and forth against each other at speeds ranging from 10 to 100 picoseconds per oscillation.
This ultrafast motion was studied with the help of advanced equipment located at various scientific facilities, including the University of Washington, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, MIT, and Argonne National Laboratory.
The research also revealed the potential implications of this discovery, demonstrating a connection between electron spin and atomic motion in the antiferromagnet’s layered structure. Such findings may pave the way for innovative applications in nanoscale devices.
The authors of the study, including Wen, Zong, Xu, Gedik, and others, primarily received support from the DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences for their work. The research is published in Nature with the DOI reference: 10.1038/s41586-023-06279-y.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about focus keyword ultrafast motion
What did the scientists discover in layered magnetic materials?
The scientists discovered an unusual ultrafast motion in layered magnetic materials like iron phosphorus trisulfide. This motion occurs when the electron spins in the material become scrambled upon exposure to a light pulse, leading to a shearing of atomic layers.
Who were the historical figures that inspired this discovery?
The work of physicists Albert Einstein and Wander de Haas, who conducted an experiment with ferromagnets over a century ago, inspired this discovery. Their observations of magnetic field effects on an iron cylinder laid the groundwork for this research.
How might this discovery be applied in the future?
This discovery has potential applications in nanoscale devices that require precise and rapid motion control. The findings could be particularly significant for the development of high-speed nanomotors in areas like biomedical technology, including nanorobots for minimally invasive procedures.
What differentiates ferromagnets from antiferromagnets?
In ferromagnets, electron spins align in the same direction, while in antiferromagnets, they alternate between adjacent electrons, canceling each other out. This makes antiferromagnets unresponsive to changes in magnetic fields, unlike ferromagnets.
What was the role of electron spin in the experiments?
Electron spin played a crucial role in the experiments by affecting the mechanical response of the material. In ferromagnets, reversing the magnetic field reverses the direction of electron spins, leading to rotation. In antiferromagnets, the scrambling of electron spins caused a shearing of atomic layers.
How fast was the observed motion in the layered material?
The observed motion in the layered material was incredibly fast, ranging from 10 to 100 picoseconds per oscillation. A picosecond equals one trillionth of a second, and the motion is so rapid that light travels only a third of a millimeter in that time frame.
Where was this research published and who were the main contributors?
This research was published in the scientific journal Nature on August 2, 2023. The main contributors included scientists from Argonne National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, University of Washington, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and other U.S. national laboratories and universities.
More about focus keyword ultrafast motion
- Nature
- Argonne National Laboratory
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Washington
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
5 comments
Einstein and De Haas, man those names bring back memories from my physics class, Great to see their work is still inspiring new research, This discovery is like a Sci-Fi movie come to life!
I read abt this on Nature’s website, really deep stuff. Wish I was a physicist so I cud understand all of it better. But still, really fascinating
The potential applications of this discovery in biomedical technology are certainly exciting. it could lead to major breakthroughs in nanorobotics for minimally invasive surgeries, Impressive.
Wow, this discovery sounds huge. Can’t wait to see what these nano devices can do in the future! anyone know where i can read more about this
Whats this thing with electron spin I mean how does it even work i dont get it at all, someone wanna explain???