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Magnetism and quantum materials

Superconductors - Quantum systems – Molecular magnets – Multi ferroics – Novel electronics

Magnets can be found everywhere in everyday life, from cars, through to mobile phones, to high-speed trains. But magnetic systems exist on all scales: elementary particles such as the electron and neutron act like tiny magnets; planets such as the Earth, Jupiter and Saturn (and once upon a time Mars) have powerful magnetic fields generated by massive dynamos at their cores.

Because of its elementary magnetic moment, the neutron can probe the magnetic properties of materials at the atomic level and even down to the nuclear level: it acts as a tiny compass exploring the inner structure of matter. It can detect and characterise the vibrational motions of the individual magnetic moments. From the characteristics of the vibrational modes, scientists and engineers can determine the interactions between the local moments, which are so important for the bulk properties of magnetic materials. In this way they have been able to optimise and develop more efficient magnets for technological applications and increase our understanding of the universe around us.

For example, neutrons have helped researchers identify new states of matter, such as materials with eight magnetic poles (octupoles) as opposed to the standard North and South dipoles we are normally used to. This previously unproven phenomena is important evidence for how the universe behaves. Neutrons are a vital tool in examining these unusual, hard-to-measure properties, thanks to the unique interactions with magnetic electrons, and the low energy that reveals miniscule changes in the characteristics of materials. They are opening the doors to novel applications of magnetic characteristics such as quantum computing and high-temperature superconductors. 

Highlights

- News,Training & PhD,Magnetism,General news,D7,United Kingdom

A former PhD student at the ILL and Birmingham University has been awarded this year’s prize for her “ground-breaking contributions to the study of frustrated magnets using neutron polarisation analysis combined with novel data analysis…

- Quantum materials,Magnetism,Scientific news,IN5,SHARPER,PANTHER,France,Switzerland,United Kingdom

Some magnetic materials feature peculiar states the fundamental understanding of which may pave the way for future applications. Neutron experiments have just revealed that they can be unexpectedly stable with respect to microscopic disorder.

- Quantum materials,Magnetism,Scientific news,CYCLOPS,D3,D9,D10,OrientExpress,Spain

Multiferroic materials will be at the heart of new solutions for data storage, data transmission, and quantum computers. Understanding the origin of such properties at fundamental level is key for developing applications, and neutron scattering…

- Quantum materials,Magnetism,General news,Scientific news,IN5,IN16B,Canada,France,Switzerland,USA

By linking theoretical predictions with neutron experiments, researchers have found evidence for quantum spin ice in the material Ce2Sn2O7. Their findings could inspire the technology of tomorrow, such as quantum computers. The results have been…

- Quantum materials,Magnetism,Scientific news,CYCLOPS,D9,D19,United Kingdom

Future progress will be defined by the development of new and innovative next-generation materials. Despite the magnitude of the endeavour, breakthroughs will depend on understanding at the smallest scale: fundamentally, the properties of a material…

- Quantum materials,Magnetism,General news,Scientific news,D1B,PANTHER,France,Switzerland

How neutron studies of exotic materials can pave the way towards quantum computers

- News,Advanced materials,Magnetism,General news,Scientific news,CYCLOPS,D9,D19

Recent awards and publications are testament to the sustained efforts and long-standing contributions of the ILL diffraction group to crystallography, and reinforce our ongoing commitment to advancing scientific understanding in the discipline.

- Magnetism,Scientific news,D33,Germany,Switzerland

Magnetic skyrmions are unique magnetic structures. A breakthrough has been achieved through neutron scattering techniques, revealing the presence of hybrid skyrmion phases. Skyrmion-based magnonic crystals offer promising possibilities in signal…

- Quantum materials,Magnetism,Scientific news,D7,Slovenia,United Kingdom,USA
- News,Advanced materials,Magnetism,Scientific news,IN8,France,Germany,United Kingdom

Only by using neutron instruments from across the globe, have researchers been able to characterise the magnetism of a graphene-like material.