Electrical manipulation of centrosymmetric antiferromagnets by Néel torque
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 9, 2026

Visualizing Uniaxial-strain Manipulation of Antiferromagnetic Domains in Fe1+YTe Using a Spin-polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscope
Published on: March 24, 2019
Jin Cao1, Weikang Wu2, Huiying Liu3
1Research Laboratory for Quantum Materials, Department of Applied Physics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Electric control of Néel vector is a central task of antiferromagnetic (AFM) spintronics. The major scheme so far has relied on the Néel spin-orbit torque, which however is restricted to AFMs with broken inversion symmetry. Here, we explore a nonlinear Néel torque, uniquely enabling electric control in the vast class of centrosymmetric AFMs including altermagnets, where the existing scheme fails. This new type of Néel torque operates in both AFM metals and insulators, and can appear in all collinear AFM configurations in all the 122 magnetic point groups. Combined with first-principles calculations, we predict significant effects in centrosymmetric AFMs MnRh, MnBiTeand altermagnet CrSb. Our work offers a new and general strategy for Néel torque, significantly broadens the scope of electric control of AFM systems, and opens a new arena in the field of AFM spintronics.
Related Concept Videos
Ferromagnetism
Paramagnetism
Diamagnetism
Diamagnetism was discovered by Anton Brugmans in 1778 when he observed that bismuth gets repelled by magnetic fields, thus theorizing that diamagnets get repelled by magnets.
Torque On A Current Loop In A Magnetic Field
Consider a rectangular current-carrying loop containing N turns of wire, placed in a uniform magnetic field. The net force on a current-carrying loop...
Angle of Twist: Problem Solving
Potential Due to a Magnetized Object
The vector...

