The most comprehensive study to date has been led by Akihiko Ikeda. It shows that in ultra-magnetic fields above 100 T, spins of atoms become more essential in determining the crystal configuration of solid materials, including that of solid oxygen. This research, published in Physical Review Letters, marks a milestone in understanding the behavior of materials under ultrahigh magnetic conditions.
The research team relied on a portable generator of an incredibly strong magnetic field of 110 T. They paired it with the Japanese X-ray Free-Electron Laser facility SACLA, achieving the first X-ray experiment above 100 T. This groundbreaking endeavor is a major step forward in probing the frontier of ultrahigh magnetic field physics.
The Nature of Extreme Magnetic Fields
Magnetic fields exceeding 100 T can only be held for a very short time. Often lasting only a few microseconds. Despite this limitation, the reach of such extreme magnetic conditions is far-reaching. Magnetostriction is the phenomenon that emerges when materials undergo changes in their physical dimensions because they are influenced by magnetic fields.
This research shows how the spins and atoms in solid oxygen shift and change under intense conditions. This mesmerizing process creates conditions where indirect interactions between the particles can drive the formation of new, exotic phases of matter. This flattening can elongate a crystal lattice, leading to significant changes to the material’s fundamental structure.
The team studied snapshots of solid oxygen, both before and after being subjected to the very strong 110 T magnetic field. What they found was a giant magnetostriction, with the crystal stretching by about 1%!
“The primary goal of the study is to explore the extreme world of ultrahigh magnetic fields of 100–1,000 T.”
One of the big reasons for the study’s success was that new equipment specifically designed for this study was essential. They rolled out PINK-02, a brand new portable generator. This powerful generator produced the extreme magnetic fields required for their experiments. This generator’s inspiring portability meant that it could be combined with the X-ray Free-Electron Laser in a far more interesting way.
Innovative Methodology and Equipment
The team’s groundbreaking approach exemplifies their creativity. It further sets a precedent for future research aimed at exploring new formulations under more extreme conditions.
With this important foundational research completed, the team is very excited about continuing to expand on these findings. Next, they want to study other solid phases of oxygen and other materials in even higher magnetic fields. They aim to uncover the crystal structure of solid oxygen’s θ phase by increasing available magnetic fields up to 120 to 130 T.
“The novelty of our paper is the newly devised portable 100 T generator called PINK-02, which is essential for the study.”
“This generator was combined with the X-ray free-electron laser, which is only possible because of the portability of PINK-02.”
This exciting research will surely continue to advance our knowledge of material science. It may open the door to innovative new technology applications that require an understanding of material behavior under extreme conditions.
Future Research Directions
Building on their findings, the research team plans to extend their investigations into other phases of solid oxygen and various materials under even higher magnetic fields. They aim to uncover the crystal structure of solid oxygen’s θ phase by increasing available magnetic fields up to 120 to 130 T.
Ikeda emphasized their commitment to further exploration:
“We will now try to uncover the crystal structure of solid oxygen called the θ phase, by further increasing the available magnetic fields up to 120 to 130 T and will uncover the crystal structure change in various materials above 100 T.”
This ongoing research promises to deepen understanding of material science and could potentially lead to new applications in technology reliant on materials’ responses to extreme conditions.