Electric fields are no longer just for voltage — they’re now tools for steering magnetism in exotic materials, opening new frontiers in energy-efficient technology.
Key Points at a Glance
- Researchers controlled magnetic textures in a material using electric fields for the first time
- The phenomenon, called magnetoelectric deflection, could revolutionize data storage and energy tech
- Neutron beams helped scientists observe changes in magnetic structure at the nanoscale
- Magnetic textures reacted in three distinct ways depending on field strength
At the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland, a scientific first is electrifying the world of magnetism. A team of researchers has demonstrated the ability to steer magnetic structures — known as textures — using nothing more than an electric field. Their findings, recently published in Nature Communications, could reshape how we design low-energy computing, sensing, and storage technologies.
The material at the center of this discovery is copper oxyselenide (Cu₂OSeO₃), a green crystal where atomic spins naturally twist into larger structures like helices and cones at low temperatures. These magnetic patterns aren’t locked to the material’s atomic grid, making them ideal for manipulation — but until now, only magnetic fields could move them.
Using the powerful SANS-I beamline at the Swiss Spallation Neutron Source SINQ, scientists at PSI showed they could redirect these textures by applying electric fields. The technique, dubbed magnetoelectric deflection, marks the first time researchers have continuously controlled the orientation of such magnetic patterns using electricity alone.
“The ability to steer such large magnetic textures with electric fields shows what’s possible when creative experiments are paired with world-class research infrastructures,” said beamline scientist Jonathan White. The team observed the magnetism by bombarding the crystal with neutrons and capturing how their paths shifted — revealing the subtle internal magnetic dance.
As electric field strength increased, the textures behaved in three regimes. At low voltages, they deflected linearly. Medium fields produced nonlinear behavior, while high fields caused dramatic 90-degree flips in direction — a response that could be encoded into future hybrid electronics for ultra-precise control.
Lead author Sam Moody emphasized the potential: “Each of these regimes present unique signatures that could be integrated into sensing and storage devices.” More importantly, the method avoids energy-intensive magnetic fields, aligning with global efforts for greener tech solutions.
This innovation arrives just as the energy demands of AI and data centers continue to surge. With electric-field-driven magnetism, engineers may soon design memory chips and logic units that consume far less power — helping balance performance with sustainability.
From understanding exotic physics to enabling next-generation devices, magnetoelectric deflection isn’t just a new trick — it’s a new toolset for science and industry alike.
Source: Paul Scherrer Institute
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