Spins influence solid oxygen’s crystal structure under extreme magnetic fields, study finds
A cartoon image of PINK-02 and photos of the portable 110T generation in beamline 3 of the Japanese SACLA free-electron X-ray laser. Credit: Ikeda et al.
Placing materials under extremely powerful magnetic fields can give rise to unusual and fascinating physical phenomena or behaviors. Specifically, studies show that under magnetic fields greater than 100 Tesla (T), spins (i.e., the intrinsic magnetic orientations of electrons) and atoms begin to form new arrangements, favoring new phases of matter or stretching a crystal lattice.
A physical effect that can occur under these extreme conditions is known as magnetostriction. This effect essentially causes the crystal structure of a material to stretch, shrink, or distort.
When magnetic fields greater than 100 T are produced experimentally, they can only be sustained for a very short time, usually for only a few microseconds. This is because their generation places great stress on the wires used to produce the fields (i.e. the coils), causing them to break almost immediately.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Electronic Communications, RIKEN and other Japanese institutes recently developed new equipment to briefly produce extremely strong magnetic fields around 110 T, and then capture the position of atoms in materials beneath these fields.
In an article published in Physical Examination Lettersthey report new information gathered during the application of these methods to the study of solid oxygen.
“The main goal of the study is to explore the extreme world of ultra-high magnetic fields from 100 to 1,000 T,” Akihiko Ikeda, first author of the paper, told Phys.org. “In the study, we conducted an X-ray experiment above 100 T for the first time, which is important in terms of exploring the frontier.”
Capturing crystal structures under extreme magnetic fields
To carry out their experiments, Ikeda and his colleagues used a portable magnetic field generator they developed, called PINK-02. This generator allowed them to produce an extremely high magnetic field of around 110 T for a few microseconds.
The researchers then used laser technology to deliver pulses of ultrafast XFEL X-rays onto solid oxygen crystals exposed to this extremely powerful magnetic field. This approach allowed them to capture snapshots showing the position of solid oxygen atoms during the magnetic pulse.
“The novelty of our item is the new 100 T portable generator called PINK-02, which is essential for the study,” explained Ikeda. “This generator was combined with the X-ray free electron laser, which is only possible due to the portability of the PINK-02.”
Ultimately, the team analyzed the snapshots and compared the positions of the atoms before and while the solid oxygen was exposed to the 110T magnetic field. This yielded some interesting results, showing that the crystal underwent gigantic magnetostriction and stretched by about 1%.
A schematic view of PINK-02 and the layout of the XRD in combination with the XFEL installed at SACLA. Credit: Physical Examination Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/r7br-qnrn
Advancing research in condensed matter physics
The researchers linked the observed magnetostriction to competing spin interactions and lattice forces under strong magnetic fields. Their work therefore suggests that under magnetic fields greater than 100 T, spins influence the crystal structure of solid materials, in particular solid oxygen.
In the future, the magnetic field generator they developed and the X-ray laser they used could be used to study other materials under the same extreme conditions.
“Our results demonstrate that spins can affect the stability of a material’s crystal structure, in the case of our study, that of solid oxygen,” Ikeda added.
“We will now try to discover the crystal structure of solid oxygen called θ phase, by further increasing the available magnetic fields up to 120 to 130 T and will discover the change in crystal structure in various materials above 100 T.”
Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Sadie Harley, and fact-checked and revised by Robert Egan, this article is the result of painstaking human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting interests you, consider making a donation (especially monthly). You will get a without advertising account as a thank you.
More information:
Akihiko Ikeda et al, X-ray free electron laser observation of giant and anisotropic magnetostriction in β-O2 at 110 Tesla, Physical Examination Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/r7br-qnrn.
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Quote: Spins influence the crystal structure of solid oxygen under extreme magnetic fields, according to a study (November 8, 2025) retrieved November 8, 2025 from https://phys.org/news/2025-11-solid-oxygen-cristal-extreme-magnetique.html
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