Scientists Receive 2026 Europhysics Prize for Altermagnetism

Altermagnetism is a class of magnetic order that combines features associated with ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and collaborators developed the concept, and researchers later produced experimental evidence for the phenomenon. In 2026, three scientists received the Europhysics Prize for work establishing altermagnetism.

Magnetic order and altermagnetism

Ferromagnetism occurs when magnetic moments align in the same direction, producing a net magnetisation. In antiferromagnetism, neighbouring magnetic moments align in opposite directions and can cancel each other, resulting in no net magnetisation. Altermagnets also have compensated magnetic moments, but their electronic structure differs from that of conventional antiferromagnets. The concept describes materials with alternating magnetic order and spin-polarised electronic bands. This combination is relevant to spintronics, a field that uses electron spin as well as electric charge to store or process information. The term “altermagnetism” was proposed in 2022 by physicist Libor Šmejkal and colleagues.

Research and experimental evidence

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and collaborators theorised altermagnetism between 2019 and 2021. Their work addressed magnetic phenomena that could not be explained by the two previously established classes alone. In early 2024, a team led by Professor Hans-Joachim Elmers at Mainz provided experimental evidence for altermagnetism. Scientists confirmed evidence for the new class in late 2024. In 2026, Professor Jairo Sinova, Dr Libor Šmejkal and Professor Tomas Jungwirth received the European Physical Society Condensed Matter Division’s 2026 Europhysics Prize for their work establishing altermagnetism.

Materials and recent findings

In April 2026, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory confirmed a key signature of altermagnetism in hematite, an abundant and stable mineral. In August 2026, a team led by Pengcheng Dai at Rice University placed hexagonal manganese telluride in a single magnetic-domain state, enabling characterisation of its intrinsic magnetic structure.

Important Facts for Exams

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• Ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism are two established forms of magnetic order.
• The term “altermagnetism” was proposed in 2022 by Libor Šmejkal and colleagues.
• The European Physical Society awards the Europhysics Prize through its Condensed Matter Division.
• The MAX IV synchrotron facility is located in Sweden.

Developments in 2026

In October 2026, a University of Nottingham-led team verified at the MAX IV synchrotron facility that altermagnetic devices could operate up to 1,000 times faster than current memory technology while using less energy. Also in October, researchers led by Professor Madhab Neupane at the University of Central Florida reported experimental evidence in cobalt-intercalated tantalum diselenide (Co1/4TaSe2).</numerusform