Russian scientists study new class of frustrated magnet structures

Scientists of the Sarov Physical Technical institute – branch of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI – and RFNC-VNIIEF are conducting joint theoretical research of frustrated Ising magnetics, a special class of substances, which is considered perspective for creation of magnetic record. It is believed that these magnets will help to implement superdense memory in the future. The task was first put in 1977, but the power of computers of that time was not enough for three-dimensional modeling of events, occurring at the nanoscale.

In physics frustration is the phenomenon of the impossibility of simultaneous minimization of all terms of the structure in the presence of competing interactions. This is like vibration, the constant desire (and impossibility) of atoms to change their location. Such a "strain" of the lattice leads to a whole spectrum of curious phenomena.

For example, substance can be controlled with magnets, which is the basis for the idea of ultra-dense data recording. In addition, when passing through a certain point of frustration, a fundamental change in the structure and properties of the substance takes place. As nanophysicists say, frustrations at the atomic level are everywhere, but they are almost always not noticed.

Sarov specialists have been conducting research in this field for more than seven years. "We have carried out theoretical and experimental studies of frustrated Ising magnetic and charge systems. These include Ca3Co2O6, CsCoCl3 and the new electron multiferroic LuFe2O4.

Such substances have unusual magnetic and electrical properties and in the future can be used in new micro- and nanoelectronic devices, for example, to create new memory elements. The group develops the theory of such magnetic systems, as well as conducts experimental studies of impedance spectroscopy and behavior in strong magnetic fields," explained the research supervisor of the project, head of the Department "Experimental Physics" of SarPhTI MEPhI, chief scientific officer of the Scientific and Technical Center of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "RFNC-VNIIEF", Doctor of Physics and Mathematics Yuri Kudasov.

The results of a breakthrough collective study of unusual magnetic memory were presented at the XXI International Symposium "Nanophysics and Nanoelectronics-2017" in Nizhny Novgorod and were highly estimated.

Provided by National Research Nuclear University