Atomic-scale visualization of d-wave altermagnetism

作者：Daran Fu, Liu Yang, Yi Shen, Kebin Xiao, Yuyang Wang, Wei Jiang, Zhiwei Wang, Yugui Yao, Qi-Kun Xue, Wei Li · 发表于：arXiv (Cornell University) · 年份：2025 · 研究领域：Topological Materials and Phenomena、2D Materials and Applications、Advanced Condensed Matter Physics

Altermagnetism is a newly identified magnetic phase, distinct from conventional ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. It exhibits no net magnetization while breaking time-reversal symmetry. Although its momentum-space signatures are established, direct real-space visualization of its defining rotational-symmetry breaking remains missing. Here, using scanning tunnelling microscopy, we provide atomic-scale real-space evidence for altermagnetism in CsV2Se2O. Utilizing intrinsic spin defects as probes, we directly visualize the hallmark symmetry breaking through unidirectional electronic patterns and elliptical charging rings, both tied to the alternating spin texture. Moreover, adjacent spin-defect lines exhibit opposite spins and long-range antiferromagnetic coupling, hinting at a novel spin order. Our work moves the field from momentum-space probes to direct real-space visualization, opening a path to explore how this unconventional magnetic order couples to other quantum states.