In the heart of New Mexico, scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory have uncovered a new material that could potentially reshape our understanding of magnetism and pave the way for innovative energy technologies. The material, UV6Sn6, is part of a family of compounds that combine rare earth elements with vanadium and tin. What sets this particular member apart is the use of uranium, an actinide element, which has been scarcely explored in this context.
The lead author of the study, S. M. Thomas from Los Alamos National Laboratory, and his team synthesized single crystals of UV6Sn6 using a self-flux technique. Their investigations revealed two uranium-driven antiferromagnetic transitions at 29 K and 24 K, respectively. “This is quite unusual,” Thomas explains, “as we typically see only one transition in these types of materials. The presence of two suggests a more complex magnetic structure.”
The team also discovered a complex field-temperature phase diagram and an unusual negative domain-wall magnetoresistance. These findings could have significant implications for the energy sector. Magnetoresistance is a phenomenon where the electrical resistance of a material changes when a magnetic field is applied. Negative magnetoresistance, as observed in UV6Sn6, could potentially lead to more efficient data storage and processing devices, which are crucial for the energy grid’s management and optimization.
Moreover, the researchers found that the vanadium flat bands in UV6Sn6 are located just above the Fermi level, the energy level at which electrons can freely move and conduct electricity. This proximity suggests that with careful tuning, these bands could be brought to the Fermi level, enhancing the material’s electronic correlations and potentially leading to novel magnetic and electronic properties.
The study, published in the journal ‘npj Quantum Materials’ (which translates to ‘New Journal of Quantum Materials’), opens up new avenues for exploring the unique properties of actinide-based materials. As Thomas puts it, “This is just the beginning. The uranium 166 family of materials is vast, and there’s so much more to discover and understand.”
The implications of this research extend beyond academia. The energy sector, in particular, could benefit greatly from the development of new materials with enhanced magnetic and electronic properties. These materials could lead to more efficient energy storage and conversion devices, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure.
In the words of Thomas, “Our findings point to a materials opportunity to expand the uranium 166 family with the goal of enhancing correlations by tuning 5f and 3d flat bands to the Fermi level.” This could potentially unlock a new realm of possibilities for energy technologies, making this research not just a scientific breakthrough, but also a beacon of hope for a more energy-efficient future.