Magnetic switching near absolute zero

In magnetic materials, the directions of the atomic magnetic poles follow a pattern, the magnetic structure. These structures give rise to the macroscopic magnetic properties in anything from hard disks to refrigerator magnets. Observing the magnetic structure switch in real time at room temperature is a daunting task, as it happens too fast for conventional neutron microscopes. This experiment aims to slow down the magnetic switching by cooling a sample down to near absolute zero. Then we will use an electrical field to switch between two distinct magnetic patterns like a stroboscope, allowing us to observe the switching between magnetic states in real time using neutron diffraction. If successful, the experiment will reveal the fundamental energy scales involved, when a macroscopic number of atoms collectively go from one complex magnetic state to another.