(Press-News.org) Contact information: Florian Aigner
florian.aigner@tuwien.ac.at
43-158-801-41027
Vienna University of Technology
New effect couples electricity and magnetism in materials
In magneto-electric materials, electric and magnetic vibrations can be coupled to 'electromagnons' -- High hopes are placed on this technology, a breakthrough could now be achieved at the Vienna University of Technology
This news release is available in German.
Major industries such as modern microelectronics are based on the interaction between matter and electromagnetism. Electromagnetic signals can be processed and stored in specially tailored materials. In materials science, electric and magnetic effects have usually been studied separately. There are, however, extraordinary materials called "multiferroics", in which electric and magnetic excitations are closely linked. Scientists at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) have now shown in an experiment that magnetic properties and excitations can be influenced by an electric voltage. This opens up completely new possibilities for electronics at high frequencies.
The Best of Two Worlds
It has been well known for a long time that electricity and magnetism are two sides of the same coin. Waves in free space, such as visible light or mobile phone radiation, always consist of both an electric and a magnetic component. When it comes to material properties, however, electricity and magnetism have been viewed as separate topics. There are materials with magnetic ordering, which react to magnetic fields, and there are materials with electric ordering, which can be influenced by electric fields.
A magnet has a magnetic field, but no electric field. In a piezoelectric crystal, on the other hand, electric fields can be generated, but no magnetic fields. Having both at the same time seemed impossible. "Usually, both effects are created in very different ways", says Professor Andrei Pimenov (TU Vienna). "Magnetic ordering comes from electrons aligning their magnetic moments, electric ordering comes from positive and negative charges moving with respect to one another."
Electromagnons
In 2006, Andrei Pimenov (while working at Augsburg University) found evidence of excitations which are based on both electric and magnetic ordering. These excitations, which have been dubbed "electromagnons", have been hotly debated by materials scientists ever since. Now Pimenov and his team have succeeded in switching such excitations on and off with an electric field in a special material made of dysprosium, manganese and oxygen (DyMnO3).
In this material, many electrons align their magnetic moments at low temperatures. Each electron has a magnetic direction which is slightly distorted with respect to the adjoining electron – therefore the electrons create spiral of magnetic moments. The spiral has two possible orientations – clockwise or counterclockwise – and, surprisingly, an external electric field can switch between these two possibilities.
Vibrating Atoms, Wobbling Moments
In magneto-electric materials, the charges and the magnetic moments of the atoms are connected. In dysprosium manganese oxide, this connection is particularly strong: "When the magnetic moments wobble, the electric charges move too", says Andrei Pimenov. In this material, magnetic moments and electric charges simultaneously play a part in the excitation, and therefore both can be influenced by one single external field.
The effect can be demonstrated by sending terahertz radiation through the material: The polarization of the terahertz beam is changed if the multiferroic material exhibits magnetic ordering. If the magnetic spiral in the material can be switched with an electric field, this electric field eventually determines, whether the polarization of the terahertz beam is being rotated.
There are many ideas for future applications: Wherever it is desirable to combine the respective advantages of magnetic and electric effects, the new magneto-electric materials could be used in the future. This could lead to new kinds of amplifiers, transistors or data storage devices. Also, highly sensitive sensors could be built with electromagnon technology.
INFORMATION:
Further Information:
Prof. Andrei Pimenov
Institute of Solid State Physics
Vienna University of Technology
Wiedner Hauptstrasse 8-10, 1040 Vienna, Austria
T: +43-1-58801-137 23
andrei.pimenov@tuwien.ac.at
New effect couples electricity and magnetism in materials
In magneto-electric materials, electric and magnetic vibrations can be coupled to 'electromagnons' -- High hopes are placed on this technology, a breakthrough could now be achieved at the Vienna University of Technology
2013-11-27
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
New Collection from PLOS and DNDi highlights a decade of R&D into neglected tropical diseases
2013-11-27
New Collection from PLOS and DNDi highlights a decade of R&D into neglected tropical diseases
As part of a collaborative initiative, PLOS and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) are delighted to be launching a special Collection—PLOS & DNDi: a decade of Open ...
Subarctic lakes are drying up at a rate not seen in 200 years
2013-11-27
Subarctic lakes are drying up at a rate not seen in 200 years
Quebec City, November 27, 2013 – The decrease in snowfall observed in recent years in Canada's subarctic regions has led to worrisome desiccation of the regions' lakes. This ...
Penn study shows automated prediction alert helps identify patients at risk for 30-day readmission
2013-11-27
Penn study shows automated prediction alert helps identify patients at risk for 30-day readmission
Flagging tool aims to reduce hospital readmissions
Philadelphia - An automated prediction tool which identifies newly admitted patients ...
NASA sees Alessia reclaim her crown as a Tropical Storm
2013-11-27
NASA sees Alessia reclaim her crown as a Tropical Storm
The former tropical storm Alessia reclaimed her title on November 27 in the Gulf of Carpentaria, as NASA's TRMM satellite passed overhead and observed heavy rainfall occurring in bands of thunderstorms around ...
Figures of 8 and peanut shells: How stars move at the center of the Galaxy
2013-11-27
Figures of 8 and peanut shells: How stars move at the center of the Galaxy
Two months ago astronomers created a new 3D map of stars at the centre of our Galaxy (the Milky Way), showing more clearly than ever the bulge at its core. Previous explanations suggested ...
Modafinil reduces depression's severity when taken with antidepressants
2013-11-27
Modafinil reduces depression's severity when taken with antidepressants
Researchers believe findings could help the many individuals for whom anti-depressants offer little or no relief
A new study has concluded that taking the drug modafinil, typically used ...
Circadian timing may give edge to West Coast NFL teams in night games
2013-11-27
Circadian timing may give edge to West Coast NFL teams in night games
Playing close to the circadian peak in performance provides an athletic advantage
DARIEN, IL – A new analysis of National Football League results suggests that the body's natural circadian ...
Lakes discovered beneath Greenland ice sheet
2013-11-27
Lakes discovered beneath Greenland ice sheet
The subglacial lakes are the first to be identified in Greenland
The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, discovered two subglacial lakes 800 metres below the Greenland Ice Sheet. The two lakes ...
American Chemical Society podcast: Improving disease monitoring in remote locations
2013-11-27
American Chemical Society podcast: Improving disease monitoring in remote locations
The latest episode in the American Chemical Society's (ACS') award-winning Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions podcast series features an advance in smartphone-based imaging that ...
MD Anderson researchers identify a rescuer for vital tumor-suppressor
2013-11-27
MD Anderson researchers identify a rescuer for vital tumor-suppressor
Enzyme intervenes when cancer-fighting PTEN is bound for cell's protein-destroying machinery
HOUSTON – A protector for PTEN, a tumor-thwarting protein often missing ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Study confirms that people with ADHD can be more creative. The reason may be that they let their mind wander
Research gives insight into effect of neurodegenerative diseases on speech rhythm
Biochar and plants join forces to clean up polluted soils and boost ecosystem recovery
Salk scientist Joseph Ecker awarded McClintock Prize for Plant Genetics and Genome Studies
ADHD: Women are diagnosed five years later than men, despite symptoms appearing at the same age.
Power plants may emit more pollution during government shutdowns
Increasing pressures for conformity de-skilling and demotivating teachers, study warns
Researchers develop smarter menstrual product with potential for wearable health monitoring
Microwaves for energy-efficient chemical reactions
MXene current collectors could reduce size, improve recyclability of Li-ion batteries
Living near toxic sites linked to aggressive breast cancer
New discovery could open door to male birth control
Wirth elected Fellow of American Physical Society
The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Ahead-of-Print Tip Sheet: October 10, 2025
Destined to melt
Attitudes, not income, drive energy savings at home
The playbook for perfect polaritons
‘Disease in a dish’ study of progressive MS finds critical role for unusual type of brain cell
Solar-powered method lights the way to a ‘de-fossilized’ chemical industry
Screen time linked to lower academic achievement among Ontario elementary students
One-year outcomes after traumatic brain injury and early extracranial surgery in the TRACK-TBI Study
Enduring outcomes of COVID-19 work absences on the US labor market
Affirmative action repeal and racial and ethnic diversity in us medical school admissions
Cancer progression illuminated by new multi-omics tool
Screen time and standardized academic achievement tests in elementary school
GLP-1RA order fills and out-of-pocket costs by race, ethnicity, and indication
Study finds HEPA purifiers alone may not be enough to reduce viral exposure in schools
UVA Health developing way to ID people at risk of dangerous lung scarring even before symptoms appear
How can we know when curing cancer causes myocarditis?
Male infertility in Indian men linked to lifestyle choices and hormonal imbalances
[Press-News.org] New effect couples electricity and magnetism in materialsIn magneto-electric materials, electric and magnetic vibrations can be coupled to 'electromagnons' -- High hopes are placed on this technology, a breakthrough could now be achieved at the Vienna University of Technology