{
  "id": 10964129,
  "title": "Physicists identify 'octupolar' magnetism, with implications for quantum technologies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/physicists-identify-octupolar-magnetism-with-implications-for-quantum",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-30T14:40:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-physicists-octupolar-magnetism-implications-quantum.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nThe 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.",
  "summary": "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.",
  "key_points": [
    "Physicists at University of Toronto discover octupolar magnetism",
    "Octupolar magnetism features eight poles, unlike typical two-pole magnets",
    "Discovery advances quantum technologies like data storage and computing"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}