Scientists discover two-dimensional magnet
In a first, scientists have discovered that magnetic properties can exist even in the two dimensional (2-D) realm of mono-layers, or materials that are formed by a single atomic layer.The study proved that material chromium tri-chloride has magnetic properties in the mono-layer form, which may open up a world of potential applications possibly in the information technology industry.
New York: In a first, scientists have discovered that magnetic properties can exist even in the two dimensional (2-D) realm of mono-layers, or materials that are formed by a single atomic layer.The study proved that material chromium tri-chloride has magnetic properties in the mono-layer form, which may open up a world of potential applications possibly in the information technology industry.
What we have discovered here is an isolated 2-D material with intrinsic magnetism, and the magnetism in the system is highly robust," said Xiaodong Xu, Professor at the University of Washington.Atoms within mono-layer materials are considered "functionally" two-dimensional because the electrons can only travel within the atomic sheet, like pieces on a chessboard.To discover the properties of the material in its 2-D form, the team used Scotch tape to shave a mono-layer off the larger, three dimensional (3-D) crystal form.
