Negative Magnetism (IMAGE)

Princeton University

Negative Magnetism

Caption

Although it is expected that electrons in a magnet pointing north would move up when subjected to an applied magnetic field pointing up, the kagome electrons actually move down (left panel). Application of a magnetic field shifts the energy levels of electrons (middle panel). Energy shifts of kagome electrons show a large negative magnetic moment (right, top). Orbital arrangements of kagome electrons give rise to a geometrical quantum phase factor (right, top), known as a Berry phase, which creates an unusual magnetic state.

Credit

Hasan, et al., Princeton University

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Credit to Hasan, et al., Princeton University

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