Stable antivortices in multiferroic ε-Fe2O3 with the coalescence of misaligned grains
2025

Stable Antivortices in Multiferroic ε-Fe2O3

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Author Information

Author(s): Wuhong Xue, Tao Wang, Huali Yang, Huanhuan Zhang, Guohong Dai, Sheng Zhang, Ruilong Yang, Zhiyong Quan, Run-Wei Li, Jin Tang, Cheng Song, Xiaohong Xu

Primary Institution: Key Laboratory of Magnetic Molecules and Magnetic Information Materials of Ministry of Education & School of Chemistry and Materials Science of Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan, China

Hypothesis

Can stable magnetic antivortices be formed in multiferroic ε-Fe2O3 through the coalescence of misaligned grains?

Conclusion

The study successfully demonstrates the creation of stable magnetic antivortices in ε-Fe2O3 polycrystals without the need for a magnetic field.

Supporting Evidence

  • Stable isolated antivortices were observed in truncated triangular ε-Fe2O3 polycrystals ranging from 2.9 to 16.7 µm.
  • The large magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy stabilizes the ground state of the antivortex.
  • The unpredictability of the polarity of the core can be utilized for designing physically unclonable functions.

Takeaway

Scientists found a way to create tiny magnetic structures called antivortices in a special material, which could help make better electronic devices.

Methodology

The authors synthesized ε-Fe2O3 nanosheets using chemical vapor deposition and characterized them using various microscopy techniques.

Limitations

The study primarily focuses on a specific material and may not generalize to other systems.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/s41467-025-55841-x

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