“The Spinaron Effect: A Paradigm Shift in Quantum Physics Unveiled by Physicists”

In a groundbreaking revelation, researchers have exposed the enigmatic spinaron effect, challenging established conventions regarding magnetic interactions within quantum materials and potentially revolutionizing our comprehension of theoretical quantum physics.

Within the laboratories of experimental physicists Professor Matthias Bode and Dr. Artem Odobesko in Würzburg, where extreme conditions prevail, a collaboration between JMU Würzburg and TU Dresden known as the Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat is setting new benchmarks in quantum research. Their latest achievement is the unveiling of the spinaron effect.

Their approach involved strategically positioning individual cobalt atoms on a copper surface, reducing the temperature to an astonishingly frigid 1.4 Kelvin (–271.75° Celsius), and subjecting them to a powerful external magnetic field—an apparatus of considerable expense, as elucidated by Bode.

The pivotal aspect of their research involved the meticulous measurement of the spin of each cobalt atom. These spins, akin to magnetic north and south poles, played a critical role in the unexpected findings. By depositing a magnetic cobalt atom onto a non-magnetic copper base, they initiated an interaction between the atom and the copper’s electrons. Investigating these correlation effects within quantum materials aligns with ct.qmat’s core mission, holding the promise of transformative technological innovations.

Traditionally, since the 1960s, solid-state physicists have explained the interaction between cobalt and copper through the Kondo effect, where the varying magnetic orientations of the cobalt atom and copper electrons nullify each other. This leads to the formation of a “Kondo cloud” where copper electrons become bound to the cobalt atom. However, Bode and his team delved deeper, validating an alternate theory posited in 2020 by theorist Samir Lounis.

Through the application of an intense external magnetic field and the utilization of an iron tip within their scanning tunneling microscope, the Würzburg physicists managed to discern the dynamic magnetic orientation of cobalt’s spin. This spin continuously oscillated, shifting between “spin-up” (positive) and “spin-down” (negative) states, stimulating the copper electrons—an occurrence termed the spinaron effect.

Bode aptly illustrates this phenomenon with an analogy: envision the cobalt atom’s state as akin to a rugby ball in constant rotation within a ball pit. Much like the surrounding balls in the pit, the copper electrons oscillated in response and bonded with the cobalt atom. This combination, characterized by the cobalt atom’s fluctuating magnetization and the attachment of copper electrons, represents the spinaron effect, as predicted by their colleague from Jülich.

The first experimental validation of the spinaron effect, courtesy of the Würzburg team, casts a shadow of doubt over the Kondo effect, which had long been considered the universal model for explaining interactions between magnetic atoms and electrons in quantum materials. As Bode aptly puts it, this discovery warrants a significant revision in physics textbooks.

In the spinaron effect, the cobalt atom maintains perpetual motion, retaining its magnetic properties despite interactions with electrons. Conversely, in the Kondo effect, electron interactions neutralize the magnetic moment. Bode envisions that this discovery could hold promise for magnetic information encoding and transportation in novel electronic devices, termed “spintronics,” potentially ushering in greener and more energy-efficient IT solutions.

However, Bode pragmatically acknowledges the challenges of translating this cobalt-copper combination into practical applications for consumer electronics. The precision required—manipulating individual atoms at ultra-low temperatures on a pristine surface within ultra-high vacuum conditions—makes it unfeasible for mainstream devices. Nevertheless, this correlation effect represents a pivotal moment in fundamental research, offering insights into the behavior of matter.

Presently, quantum physicist Artem Odobesko and theorist Samir Lounis are embarking on a comprehensive review of publications dating back to the 1960s, aiming to identify instances where the spinaron effect may have been described under the guise of the Kondo effect. If successful, this endeavor could potentially rewrite the history of theoretical quantum physics.

The Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat, officially known as “Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter,” is a collaborative effort between Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg and Technische Universität Dresden. Established in 2019, it comprises nearly 400 scientists from over thirty countries and four continents. Their research focuses on topological quantum materials, unveiling extraordinary phenomena under extreme conditions, such as ultra-low temperatures, high pressure, or strong magnetic fields. ct.qmat is funded through the German Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments and stands as the only Cluster of Excellence in Germany with a presence in two different federal states.

[Reference: “Evidence for spinarons in Co adatoms” by Felix Friedrich, Artem Odobesko, Juba Bouaziz, Samir Lounis, and Matthias Bode, published in Nature Physics on 26th October 2023, DOI: 10.1038/s41567-023-02262-6]

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More about Spinaron Effect

• Nature Physics Research Paper – Access the full research paper titled “Evidence for spinarons in Co adatoms” for comprehensive details on the spinaron effect discovery.

• Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat – Learn more about the Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat, which played a pivotal role in this groundbreaking research.

• Phys.org Article – Read a summary of the spinaron effect discovery and its implications in this article on Phys.org.