Scientists who discovered a third form of magnetism win major physics prize

Physicists have uncovered a hidden third form of magnetism that challenges more than 100 years of established physics. Called altermagnetism, the discovery could transform future computing and electronics while opening an entirely new frontier in quantum research. Scientists who discovered a third form of magnetism win major physics prize.

Scientists who discovered a third form of magnetism win major physics prize Science News from research organizations Scientists who discovered a third form of magnetism win major physics prize Physicists have discovered a third form of magnetism hidden for over a century, potentially rewriting physics textbooks and transforming future technology. The discovery, known as altermagnetism, revealed a third fundamental category of collinear magnetism and opened new possibilities for quantum materials, advanced electronics, and future computing technologies. Three physicists responsible for the breakthrough have been named recipients of the 2026 Europhysics Prize, one of Europe’s most prestigious honors in condensed matter physics.

The European Physical Society (EPS) Condensed Matter Division selected Professor Jairo Sinova of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), Dr. Libor Šmejkal, and Professor Tomas Jungwirth for their work establishing altermagnetism as a distinct form of magnetic order alongside ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism. "This award recognizes a fundamental discovery that challenged one of the most established paradigms in condensed matter physics," said Professor Jairo Sinova, Director of the Spin Phenomena Interdisciplinary Center (SPICE) at Mainz University.

"Discovering that an entirely new magnetic phase had remained hidden for more than one hundred years demonstrates that even the most mature scientific fields can still hold fundamental surprises." The breakthrough emerged from years of collaboration between Sinova’s research group at Mainz University and Jungwirth’s team at the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague.