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half ice half fire magnetic phase discovery

"Half Ice, Half Fire": Discovery of a New Magnetic Phase with Quantum Potential

Introduction to the Discovery of "Half Ice, Half Fire"

This image presents a graphical depiction of the "half-ice, half-fire" and "half-fire, half-ice" states (left). On the right, the plot illustrates the magnetic entropy change as a function of magnetic field (h) and temperature (T). The black dot at zero temperature marks the emergence of the half-fire, half-ice phase, while the dashed line highlights where the half-ice, half-fire phase remains hidden. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory.

In a landmark discovery, two scientists from the DOE's Brookhaven National Laboratory have detected an unexplored phase of matter while studying a model magnetic system.

This newly identified phase exhibits an unprecedented arrangement of electron spins, characterized by a unique interplay between highly ordered "cold" spins and highly disordered "hot" spins, earning it the name "half ice, half fire." The discovery emerged from an investigation into a one-dimensional model of a ferrimagnetic material.

The Significance of the "Half Ice, Half Fire" Phase

The "half ice, half fire" phase is remarkable not only for its unprecedented nature but also for its ability to induce sharp phase transitions at practical, finite temperatures. This phenomenon holds promising potential for future advancements in energy and information technology.

Researchers Behind the Discovery

Weiguo Yin and Alexei Tsvelik, both physicists, presents their research in the December 31, 2024, publication of Physical Review Letters.

"Identifying novel states with unconventional physical properties—and deciphering and regulating their phase transitions—remains a fundamental challenge in condensed matter physics and materials science," stated Yin. "Addressing these challenges could drive significant breakthroughs in quantum computing and spintronics."

Yin's and Tsvelik's Vision for the Future

Tsvelik remarked, "Our findings have the potential to provide new insights into the mechanisms governing phases and phase transition in specific materials, paving the way for enhanced control over these phenomena."

The History Behind the Discovery

What Came First: Fire or Ice?

The "half-ice, half-fire" phase represents the dual counterpart to the "half-fire, half-ice" phase, initially identified by Yin, Tsvelik, and Christopher Roth—formerly a 2015 undergraduate summer intern and now a postdoctoral researcher at the Flatiron Institute. Their findings are detailed in a paper published in early 2024.

Origins of the Discovery: Collaborative Research Since 2012

The origins of this discovery trace back to 2012, when Yin and Tsvelik collaborated in a multi-institutional research effort led by Brookhaven physicist John Hill. the team investigated Sr₃CuIrO₆, a magnetic compound composed of strontium, copper, iridium and oxygen. This work culminated in two publications in Physical Review Letters—an experimental study in 2012 and a theoretical study in 2013.

The Discovery of the "Half-Fire, Half-Ice" Phase

Expanding their exploration of Sr₃CuIrO₆'s Phase behaviors, Yin and Tsvelik discovered the "half-fire, half-ice" phase in 2016. This phase emerges under a critical external magnetic field, where 'hot' spins on copper sites exhibit complete disorder with reduced magnetic moments, while 'cold' spins on iridium sites display full order with enhanced magnetic moments. Their research was published in Physical Review B.

Overcoming the Challenges of Phase Transitions

The Puzzle of Practical Applications

"Despite our extensive investigations, we remained uncertain about the practical applications of this state," Tsvelik remarked. "This was particularly challenging because, for over a century, it has been widely accepted that the one-dimensional Ising model— a well-established mathematical framework for ferromagnetism responsible for generating the half-fire, half-ice state—does not support phase transitions at finite temperatures. We were still missing crucial pieces of the puzzle."

Unveiling the Forbidden Phase Transition

Yin recently uncovered a crucial clue to the missing elements. In two studies —one examining systems with an external magnetic field and the other without—he demonstrated that the traditionally forbidden phase transition can, in fact, be approached through an ultranarrow phase crossover at a fixed finite temperature.

"Half Ice, Half Fire": The Complementary Hidden State

Inversion of Hot and Cold Spins

In their latest study, Yin and Tsvelik uncovered a complementary hidden state to "half fire, half ice," wherein the roles of hot and cold spins are reversed. This inversion, where hot spins cool and cold spins heat up, inspired them to designate the phase as "half ice, half fire."

Implications and Future Applications

Ultrasharp Phase Switching for Future Technologies

The model demonstrates that phase transitions occur within an ultranarrow temperature window. Yin and Tsvelik have already proposed potential applications, such as utilizing the sharp phase transition and giant magnetic entropy change of "half fire, half ice" for advanced refrigeration technologies.

Foundation for Quantum Information Storage

Additionally, this phenomenon could serve as a foundation for a novel quantum information storage system where phases function as data bits.

"Our research will now extend to examining the fire-ice phenomenon in quantum spin system, with an added focus on lattice, charge and orbital degrees of freedom," Yin explained. "This advancement opens up exciting new frontiers in the field."

Source

Discover how the "Half Ice, Half Fire" phase is redefining condensed matter physics and unlocking new possibilities in quantum computing and spintronics. This groundbreaking research not only challenges traditional theories but also opens doors to advanced technological applications.

Stay informed with the latest scientific breakthroughs! Check out our in-depth analysis on the future quantum materials and their impact on emerging technologies.

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