Revolutionary Control of Magnons: A Leap in Quantum Research and Information Technology

It sounds like science fiction, but this discovery is real. A team of physicists at the University of Konstanz, led by David Bossini, has developed an experimental technique that makes it possible. By using laser pulses to coherently excite pairs of magnons, the researchers have achieved remarkable effects that could impact both information technology and quantum research. Their results were published in the journal Science Advances.

What is a Magnon and Why is it Important?

Before delving into the details, it is helpful to understand what a magnon is and why it matters. The modern world produces vast amounts of data through artificial intelligence and the “Internet of Things.” Current information systems are already under immense pressure, threatening to slow technological progress.

One proposed solution is to use electron spins—or better yet, waves of spins moving together—to transmit information. These collective vibrations are known as magnons. They behave like waves and can be controlled using lasers, offering the potential for data transmission and storage at terahertz frequencies.

Overcoming Current Limitations

Until now, scientists have only been able to excite magnons at their lowest frequencies using light, limiting their potential. To harness magnons for future technologies, researchers need to be able to tune their frequency, amplitude, and lifespan. The team at Konstanz has now found a way to achieve exactly that.

By directly exciting pairs of magnons—the highest magnetic frequencies in a material—they discovered a powerful new form of control. “The result was a big surprise for us. No theory had predicted it,” says David Bossini.

The Astonishing Effects of Magnon Control

Not only does the process work—it achieves astonishing effects. By stimulating high-frequency magnon pairs through laser pulses, the physicists succeeded in altering the frequencies and amplitudes of other magnons—and thus the magnetic properties of the material—in a non-thermal manner.

Bossini emphasizes, “The effects are not due to laser heating. The cause is the light, not the heat.” The advantages are clear: the method can be used to store and transmit data at terahertz rates without systems slowing down due to heat buildup.

Future Applications and New Discoveries

The process does not require high-tech materials or rare earth elements as a basis but relies on natural crystals—specifically, the iron ore hematite. “Hematite is widespread. Centuries ago, it was already used in compasses for maritime navigation,” Bossini explains.

It is entirely possible that hematite could now also be used in future quantum research. The results from the Konstanz team suggest that with the new method, researchers will be able to produce high-energy Bose-Einstein condensates of magnons at room temperature.

Conclusion

This discovery opens new horizons in quantum research and information technology. By being able to control magnons in a non-thermal way, more efficient systems for data transmission and storage can be developed. Additionally, hematite could facilitate quantum research without extensive cooling, paving the way for a deeper understanding of quantum phenomena. It seems like magic, but it’s just advanced technology and research.