Atomic-scale visualization of d-wave altermagnetism
Abstract
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.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2512.24114,
title = {Atomic-scale visualization of d-wave altermagnetism},
author = {Daran Fu and Liu Yang and Yi Shen and Kebin Xiao and Yuyang Wang and Wei Jiang and Zhiwei Wang and Yugui Yao and Qi-Kun Xue and Wei Li},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2512.24114},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
This version provides a clearer articulation of the observation that adjacent spin-defect lines exhibit opposite spins and long-range antiferromagnetic coupling, hinting at a novel spin order