Physicists identify 'octupolar' magnetism, with implications for quantum technologies
Most magnets have two poles: north and south, or positive and negative, in a familiar arrangement called a "dipole." But researchers are increasingly uncovering more complex forms of magnetism.
Physicists at the University of Toronto have discovered a novel form of magnetism known as octupolar magnetism. This complex magnetic state, featuring eight poles rather than the typical two, has implications for advancing quantum technologies such as data storage and computing devices.
The researchers utilized light to observe the atomic vibrations within a crystalline material, which revealed previously undetectable magnetic patterns. By focusing on chiral phonons—vibrational energy packets with a unique "handedness"—the team identified a distinctive signature linked to octupolar magnetic order. This discovery could pave the way for harnessing higher-order magnetism in practical applications.
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