Researchers at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) have identified new oscillation states, known as Floquet states, in magnetic vortices. This breakthrough, reported on January 8, 2026, reveals that these states can be generated using low-energy magnetic waves rather than the high-energy laser pulses required in previous experiments. The findings have significant implications for various fields, potentially linking electronics, spintronics, and quantum devices.
Magnetic vortices, which form in ultrathin disks of materials like nickel–iron, consist of elementary magnetic moments arranged in circular patterns. When these vortices are disturbed, wave-like excitations called magnons propagate through them, reminiscent of a wave traveling through a stadium. According to Dr. Helmut Schultheiß, project leader at HZDR, “These magnons can transmit information through a magnet without the need for charge transport.” This property positions them as promising candidates for advancing next-generation computing technologies.
The research team began by examining small magnetic disks, reducing their diameter from several micrometers to a few hundred nanometers. Their initial goal was to investigate their potential for neuromorphic computing, a new computational paradigm. During data analysis, the researchers observed an unexpected phenomenon: some disks produced a series of finely split resonance lines, forming a frequency comb. “At first we assumed it was a measurement artifact or some kind of interference,” Schultheiß recalled. “But when we repeated the experiment, the effect reappeared. That is when it became clear we were looking at something genuinely new.”
Understanding Floquet States
The discovery of these oscillation states is rooted in the work of French mathematician Gaston Floquet, who demonstrated in the late 19th century that systems subjected to periodic driving could develop new states. Traditionally, generating Floquet states required substantial energy input, often using strong laser pulses. The HZDR team found that in magnetic vortices, these states can emerge spontaneously if the magnons are sufficiently excited. This excitation causes the vortex core to engage in minor circular motions, modulating the magnetic state rhythmically.
This effect is observable as a frequency comb, where instead of a single sharp resonance, a series of regularly spaced lines appears. Schultheiß expressed astonishment that such a subtle core motion could transform the familiar magnon spectrum into a variety of new states.
Potential Implications for Technology
The efficiency of this process is particularly noteworthy, as it can be triggered with minimal energy input—microwatts, significantly lower than the energy required for traditional setups. This capability opens up numerous possibilities, such as synchronizing disparate systems and linking ultrafast terahertz phenomena with conventional electronics or quantum components. “We call it the universal adapter,” Schultheiß explained, likening it to a USB adapter that facilitates compatibility between devices with different connectors.
Looking ahead, the research team plans to explore whether this principle can apply to other magnetic structures. This discovery could also be instrumental in developing new computing architectures by enabling the coupling of magnonic signals with electronic circuits and quantum systems. “On the one hand, our discovery opens new avenues for addressing fundamental questions in magnetism,” Schultheiß noted. “On the other hand, it could eventually serve as a valuable tool to interconnect the realms of electronics, spintronics, and quantum information technology.”
The findings have been published in the journal Science, showcasing the potential of this research to shape future technologies in computing and information processing. For more details, refer to the study by Christopher Heins et al., titled “Self-induced Floquet magnons in magnetic vortices.”
