ETH Zurich Study: Light-Based Magnet Reversal in Ferromagnets

Achievement in Material Design ETH Zurich: Light-Based Reversal of Novel Ferromagnets Successfully Achieved

2026-02-03 From Veronika Maucher 1 min Reading Time

Related Vendor

Researchers from ETH Zurich and the University of Basel have conducted a study that for the first time demonstrates how light pulses can be used to reverse magnetisation in ferromagnets. The material of the magnet is crucial to this process.

For a long time, ferromagnetism was considered inextricably linked to thermal or mechanical influences. This meant that in order to change the orientation of the electron spins, the ferromagnet had to be heated above its critical temperature. However, the work of a research team led by Ataç Imamoğlu, Professor of Physics at ETH Zurich, and Tomasz Smolenski, Professor at the University of Basel, shows that light can also serve as a tool for manipulating ferromagnets. In this case, a laser beam was specifically employed to rapidly and reversibly switch the magnetisation of a special material made of two very thin, slightly twisted layers of molybdenum ditelluride.

In the new experiments, electrons could be toggled between topological states that are insulating and metallic, i.e., conducting states. Notably, the interactions cause the electrons in both states to align parallel to one another, transforming the material into a ferromagnet. Ataç Imamoğlu and his team's method utilises ultrashort laser pulses impacting the ferromagnet. Remarkably, the present study achieved the switching of the entire ferromagnet rather than just individual electrons.

ecoclean-fb-20hpo-1-v-2100x1181v1 (Picture: Ecoclean)

Utilising light to influence magnetisation in ferromagnets not only represents a significant scientific advance but also offers innovative application possibilities in high-tech reliant fields. For engineers in the aerospace, space exploration, and defence industries, this signifies new horizons in the development of advanced systems that optimise functionality and efficiency. This technology has the potential to change existing paradigms and set new standards in material design and application.

Olivier Huber, Kilian, Kuhlbdrodt et al.: Optical control over topological Chern number in moire materials. In: Nature, 28. Januar 2026, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09851-w

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.