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Scientists Discover Altermagnetism in Hematite, Advancing Spintronics

4/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists have identified altermagnetism, a third form of magnetism, in hematite, in Physical Review Letters.
The finding was confirmed by inelastic neutron scattering, revealing magnon splitting.
The discovery could advance spintronics by enabling charge-free spin currents that improve efficiency.
Qiyang Sun, project lead at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, notes hematite's abundance and stability for quantum electronics.

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Story summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists have identified altermagnetism, a third form of magnetism, in hematite, in Physical Review Letters.
The finding was confirmed by inelastic neutron scattering, revealing magnon splitting.
The discovery could advance spintronics by enabling charge-free spin currents that improve efficiency.
Qiyang Sun, project lead at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, notes hematite's abundance and stability for quantum electronics.