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Switchable Altermagnetism Induced by Polyhedral Rotation Distortion
Yu Xie1, Yifei Hao1, Dinghui Wang1
1School of Materials Science and Physics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China.
Nano Letters
|May 29, 2026
Summary
Altermagnetism, combining ferromagnet and antiferromagnet properties, is induced by polyhedral rotation distortion. This strain-tunable mechanism offers control over spin splitting for nanoscale spintronics.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Spintronics
Background:
- Altermagnetism offers unique properties, merging ferromagnet spin splitting with antiferromagnet stray-field immunity.
- Achieving altermagnetism through universal, strain-tunable structural geometry is a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and demonstrate a novel mechanism for inducing altermagnetism using polyhedral rotation distortion.
- To explore the strain-tunability and control of spin splitting in altermagnetic materials.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical investigation of symmetry breaking via cooperative polyhedral rotations.
- Validation in two-dimensional MnX2 (X = O, S, Se, Te) monolayers.
- Analysis of strain effects, including phase transitions.
Main Results:
- Cooperative polyhedral rotations selectively break spin degeneracy while preserving altermagnetism symmetry.
- Spin splitting sign is deterministically coupled to rotation distortion direction.
- Significant strain-tuning observed in MnX2 monolayers, enabling reversible phase transitions.
Conclusions:
- Polyhedral rotation is established as a viable design strategy for inducing altermagnetism.
- This provides a versatile platform for developing strain-controlled nanoscale spintronic devices.
- The findings pave the way for novel applications in advanced magnetic technologies.
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