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Scientists discover two-dimensional magnet

In a first, scientists have discovered that magnetic properties can exist even in the two dimensional (2-D) realm of mono-layers,…

Scientists discover two-dimensional magnet

Representational Image (PHOTO: Getty Images)

In a first, scientists have discovered that magnetic properties can exist even in the two dimensional (2-D) realm of mono-layers, or materials that are formed by a single atomic layer.

The study proved that material chromium tri-chloride has magnetic properties in the mono-layer form, which may open up a world of potential applications possibly in the information technology industry.

"What we have discovered here is an isolated 2-D material with intrinsic magnetism, and the magnetism in the system is highly robust," said Xiaodong Xu, Professor at the University of Washington.

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"We envision that new information technologies may emerge based on these new 2-D magnets," Xu added, in the paper published in the journal Nature.

Atoms within mono-layer materials are considered "functionally" two-dimensional because the electrons can only travel within the atomic sheet, like pieces on a chessboard.

To discover the properties of the material in its 2-D form, the team used Scotch tape to shave a mono-layer off the larger, three dimensional (3-D) crystal form.

Surprisingly, in chromium tri-chloride flakes that are two layers thick, an optical signature demonstrating the magnetic nature disappeared. This signature returns in a three layered structure.

The scientists will need to conduct further studies to understand why the material displayed these remarkable layer-dependent magnetic phases. But to Xu, these are just some of the truly unique properties revealed by combining mono-layers.

"2-D mono-layers alone offer exciting opportunities to study the drastic and precise electrical control of magnetic properties, which has been a challenge to realise using their 3-D bulk crystals," Xu mentioned.

"But an even greater opportunity can arise when you stack mono-layers with different physical properties together. There, you can get even more exotic phenomena not seen in the mono-layer alone or in the 3-D bulk crystal," he said.

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