Altermagnetism in the Layered Intercalated Transition Metal Dichalcogenide
September 15, 2026
Single crystal neutron diffraction resolved the collinear antiferromagnetic structure of CoNb4Se8, revealing spin-split bands by density functional theory, providing key evidence for altermagnetism.
Scientific Achievement
Magnetic structure of CoNb4Se8 is determined using single crystal neutron diffraction. Combining with density functional theory calculations, it reveals the inversion symmetry breaking and spin-split degeneracy of the electron bands.
Significance and Impact
These results exhibit the altermagnetism state in a layered material, providing an ideal test ground for various predicted properties, including anomalous Hall effect and magneto-optical Kerr effect.
Research Details
- Single crystal diffraction data of CoNb4Se8 are reported.
- Inversion symmetry breaking in the magnetic structure is studied.
- DFT calculation shows spin-split electron bands.
- Results validate a test ground for altermagnetism behaviors.
“Altermagnetism in the layered intercalated transition metal dichalcogenide CoNb4Se8,” Nature Communications, 16, 4399 (2025)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58642-4
