Physicists discover a novel form of magnetism.

In an extraordinary leap for **magnetism**, scientists at the **Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)** have unveiled a revolutionary form of magnetic behavior known as **p-wave magnetism**. This discovery could potentially reshape the landscape of memory storage by enabling the development of **faster**, **denser**, and **more energy-efficient “spintronic” memory chips**.

Understanding the New P-Wave Magnetism

This pioneering form of magnetism is a fascinating convergence of two well-known phenomena: **ferromagnetism**, associated with everyday objects like fridge magnets, and **antiferromagnetism**, where spins on an atomic level balance each other out to negate overall magnetization. Now, scientists have introduced p-wave magnetism, discovered in **nickel iodide (NiI₂)**, a two-dimensional crystalline material synthesized in the lab.

The Mechanics of Spin Alignment

In conventional ferromagnets, electrons exhibit uniform spin orientation, akin to tiny compasses all pointing in the same direction. This creates a **magnetic field**, imparting the characteristic magnetism of the material. Conversely, antiferromagnets feature alternating spin orientations, leading to a cancellation of external magnetic effects.

However, the **p-wave magnetism** phenomenon observed in nickel iodide presents a unique twist. Here, the spins of nickel atoms arrange themselves into spirals that mirror one another, providing a novel perspective on magnetic interactions.

Electrical Switching of Spins

A thrilling aspect of this discovery is the potential for **”spin switching.”** By applying a small electric field, researchers can flip the orientation of these spiral spins. This capability is crucial for advancing **spintronics**—a technology where data is stored and manipulated based on electron spins rather than charge—unleashing unprecedented levels of data storage efficiency and energy savings.

Impact and Future Applications

With significant implications for the future, Qian Song, a research scientist at MIT, emphasizes the importance of this advancement: **“This breakthrough paves the way for ultrafast, compact, energy-efficient, and nonvolatile magnetic memory devices.”** The MIT team, alongside collaborators from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and several other institutions, published these promising findings in the journal **Nature** on May 28, 2025.

Tracing the Roots of Discovery

This discovery builds upon the work conducted by Comin’s group in 2022, which explored the unique **magnetic properties of nickel iodide**. Researchers previously identified that the arrangement of nickel and iodine atoms in a triangular lattice might harbor exciting potential for magnetic manipulation. The proposal of the p-wave magnet concept arose from curiosity around the unique spiral geometry observed in these spins.

The Experimental Journey

The MIT team’s journey began with the synthesis of **single-crystal flakes** of nickel iodide, utilizing a high-temperature furnace to create layers of nickel and iodine atoms. They then peeled the material into smaller flakes for experimental examination. By employing **circularly polarized light**, they confirmed that charged electrons carried spin aligned with the material’s spirals, establishing the existence of **p-wave magnetism** for the first time.

The Road Ahead

While observed only at ultracold temperatures close to 60 kelvins, researchers are optimistic about the path forward toward discovering room-temperature materials that exhibit these groundbreaking properties. As Comin states, **”The next frontier is finding a material with these properties at room temperature.”** This advancement could pave the way for practical applications in the realm of **spintronics**, revolutionizing data storage solutions.

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), covering groundbreaking research at MIT.