Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026
07:33
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of live Drosophila melanogaster using Magic Angle Spinning
Published on: April 15, 2010
13.0K
Collective magnetism in an artificial 2D XY spin system
Naëmi Leo1,2, Stefan Holenstein3,4, Dominik Schildknecht5,6,7
1Laboratory for Mesoscopic Systems, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland. naemi.leo@psi.ch.
Nature Communications
|July 22, 2018
Summary
Researchers created artificial 2D XY spin systems using magnetic discs. They observed long-range magnetic order at low temperatures, confirming theoretical predictions for dipolar-coupled systems and showing tunability.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Magnetism
Background:
- Two-dimensional magnetic systems with continuous spin degrees of freedom show complex thermal behavior due to fluctuations and correlations.
- Anisotropic dipolar interactions can lead to symmetry breaking and low-temperature magnetic order, but experimental realization is challenging.
- Achieving dipolar coupling weaker than exchange interaction in crystalline materials is difficult.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally realize and investigate two-dimensional magnetostatically coupled XY spin systems.
- To explore the emergence of long-range order and correlated dynamics in artificial spin systems.
- To demonstrate the tunability of collective magnetic behavior in thermally active artificial spin systems.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of nanoscale thermally active magnetic discs on square lattices.
- Utilizing low-energy muon-spin relaxation (LE-μSR) for probing spin dynamics.
- Employing soft X-ray scattering for observing magnetic order and correlations.
Main Results:
- Observation of correlated dynamics at the critical temperature.
- Evidence for static long-range magnetic order at low temperatures.
- Compatibility of results with theoretical predictions for dipolar-coupled XY spin systems.
- Demonstration of tunable collective magnetic behavior by modifying sample design.
Conclusions:
- Successful experimental realization of 2D magnetostatically coupled XY spin systems.
- Confirmation of spontaneous symmetry breaking and low-temperature order in artificial spin systems.
- Artificial spin systems offer a tunable platform for studying fundamental magnetic phenomena.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:08NMR Spectroscopy: Spin–Spin Coupling
3.3K
The spin state of an NMR-active nucleus can have a slight effect on its immediate electronic environment. This effect propagates through the intervening bonds and affects the electronic environments of NMR-active nuclei up to three bonds away; occasionally, even farther. This phenomenon is called spin–spin coupling or J-coupling. Coupling interactions are mutual and result in small changes in the absorption frequencies of both nuclei involved. While nuclei of the same element are involved...
3.3K
01:17Spin–Spin Coupling: One-Bond Coupling
1.5K
Coupling interactions are strongest between NMR-active nuclei bonded to each other, where spin information can be transmitted directly through the pair of bonding electrons. While nuclei polarize their electrons to the opposite spins, the bonding electron pair has opposite spins. Configurations with antiparallel nuclear spins are expected to be lower in energy. When coupling makes antiparallel states more favorable, J is considered to have a positive value. The one-bond coupling constant, 1J,...
1.5K
01:08Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview
1.5K
In bromoethane, the three methyl protons are coupled to the two methylene protons that are three bonds away. In accordance with the n+1 rule, the signal from the methyl protons is split into three peaks with 1:2:1 relative intensities. The methylene protons appear as a quartet, with the relative intensities of 1:3:3:1.
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must...
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must...
1.5K
03:02Colors and Magnetism
14.1K
Color in Coordination Complexes
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
14.1K
01:20Spin–Spin Coupling: Two-Bond Coupling (Geminal Coupling)
1.7K
Two NMR-active nuclei bonded to a central atom can be involved in geminal or two-bond coupling. Geminal coupling is commonly seen between diastereotopic protons in chiral molecules and unsymmetrical alkenes, among others.
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...
The central atom need not be NMR-active because its electrons are affected by the electron polarization of the spin-active atoms. However, spin information is transmitted less effectively than in one-bond coupling, and 2J values are usually weaker than 1J values. The energy of...
1.7K
01:22Spin–Spin Coupling: Three-Bond Coupling (Vicinal Coupling)
1.5K
Vicinal or three-bond coupling is commonly observed between protons attached to adjacent carbons. Here, nuclear spin information is primarily transferred via electron spin interactions between adjacent C‑H bond orbitals. This generally favors the antiparallel arrangement of spins, so 3J values are usually positive.
The extent of coupling depends on the C‑C bond length, the two H‑C‑C angles, any electron-withdrawing substituents, and the dihedral angle between the involved orbitals. The...
The extent of coupling depends on the C‑C bond length, the two H‑C‑C angles, any electron-withdrawing substituents, and the dihedral angle between the involved orbitals. The...
1.5K