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Nature 447, 157-158 (10 May 2007) | doi:10.1038/447157a; Published online 9 May 2007

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Condensed-matter physics: Let's twist again

Christian Pfleiderer1 & Ulrich K. Rös zligler2

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The spins of a layer of manganese atoms on a tungsten surface form a spiral pattern with a unique turning sense. Such 'chiral magnetic order' might exist in other, similar contexts, and could have many useful applications.

Objects that differ from their mirror image — human hands, for instance — have a turning sense. This phenomenon of handedness, or chirality, is found in many natural contexts, from the elementary particles participating in electroweak interactions, via organic molecules and hurricanes, all the way to galaxies.

  1. Christian Pfleiderer is at the Lehrstuhl für Experimentalphysik E21, Technische Universität München, D-85748 Garching, Germany.
    Email: christian.pfleiderer@frm2.tum.de
  2. Ulrich K. Rös zligler is at the Institute for Theoretical Solid State Physics, IFW Dresden, D-01171 Dresden, Germany.
    Email: u.roessler@ifw-dresden.de

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RESEARCH

Chiral magnetic order at surfaces driven by inversion asymmetry

Nature Letters to Editor (10 May 2007)