Scientists have demonstrated a groundbreaking technique that could revolutionize magnetic computing by magnetizing a non-magnetic material at room temperature, thereby inducing a quantum property for potential ultra-fast computing applications.
The creation of a “switchable” magnetic field marks a significant milestone, enabling the storage and transmission of information without the need for ultracold temperatures, a prerequisite in previous endeavors. This breakthrough holds the promise of ultra-fast magnetic switches capable of enhancing information transfer and data storage while significantly improving the speed and energy efficiency of computers, as highlighted by study lead author Alexander Balatsky, a professor of physics at the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics (NORDITA).
Quantum mechanics offers tantalizing prospects for enhancing computing systems, such as in quantum computing. However, quantum states are notoriously fragile and susceptible to decoherence from various sources of noise, making their utilization challenging. Traditionally, achieving quantum behavior necessitates cooling materials to near absolute zero, posing practical limitations on system maintenance and operation.
In 2017, Balatsky and colleagues proposed a theoretical framework for inducing a quantum state termed “dynamic multiferroicity,” where electrical polarization induces magnetism in a non-magnetic material. This innovative approach involves manipulating titanium atoms to generate a magnetic field within the material.
In their recent study, published on April 10 in the journal Nature, Balatsky’s team successfully validated this theory using titanium atoms within strontium titanate, an oxide derived from titanium and strontium. Laser pulses were employed to generate circularly polarized photons in a narrow wavelength band, inducing circular motion in the atoms and resulting in switchable magnetic fields comparable to those of household refrigerator magnets. Notably, this magnetic effect was transient, existing only during the atom manipulation process.
This breakthrough opens avenues for ultrafast magnetic switches operating at room temperature, with lasers controlling material lattice vibrations. Such advancements could underpin the development of smaller, faster computing systems devoid of the constraints imposed by low temperatures.
While this study marks a significant leap forward, it is not the sole instance of harnessing light to leverage magnetism for computing purposes. Earlier research in January utilized light’s magnetic component to manipulate solid material magnetism, offering further prospects for ultrafast magnetic computing memory components in the future.
