The paper was published in JACS.
The relentless pursuit of miniaturized and efficient magnetic devices has spurred a theoretical breakthrough in material science. We have proposed a novel layered magnet, a paradigm shift from the traditional bulky form of GdAlSi. This innovation hinges on a groundbreaking concept: mimicking the remarkable honeycomb lattice structure of graphene.
Graphene, a highly conductive material, boasts a two-dimensional arrangement of carbon atoms in a hexagonal lattice. The theoretical framework proposes replicating this structure with GdAlSi atoms, creating a layered form. This shift in structure has profound theoretical implications for the magnetic properties of the material.
In the traditional, bulky form of GdAlSi, the theoretical models suggest that the magnetic moments of individual atoms are not aligned. However, the layered structure inspired by graphene's lattice is predicted to induce ferromagnetism. This type of magnetism arises when the tiny magnetic moments of individual atoms within the material align in the same direction, creating a collective magnetic effect.
The theoretical underpinnings of this phenomenon lie in the manipulation of electron orbitals within the GdAlSi atoms. In the bulky form, the arrangement of atoms allows for a more symmetrical distribution of electrons, resulting in a cancellation of individual magnetic moments. However, the layered structure disrupts this symmetry. The theoretical models predict that the specific arrangement of atoms in the graphene-inspired lattice forces a preferential alignment of electron orbitals, leading to a net magnetic moment in the material and the emergence of ferromagnetism.
The conducted experimental research together with our theoretical prediction suggest possibility of manipulating the structure and magnetic properties of materials at the fundamental level. This could lead to the development of next-generation spintronic devices, which utilize electron spin for data storage and manipulation. The impact could extend beyond spintronics, influencing numerous magnetic technologies that rely on specific magnetic properties.
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