New class of magnets where fewer electrons mean stronger magnetism could lead to new energy-saving technologies
Friday, January 18, 2013 - 09:00
in Physics & Chemistry
Magnetism in semiconductors arises mainly through the interaction of magnetic ions and electrons. Normally, the more electrons contribute to the magnetism, the stronger the magnet. However, researchers at the RIKEN Advanced Science Institute at Wako, Japan, have now discovered a magnet which becomes weaker as the number of electrons increases. The work has implications for both fundamental science as well as future energy-saving technologies.