Altermagnetism discovery wins 2026 Europhysics Prize for three physicists

Three physicists have won the 2026 Europhysics Prize for discovering altermagnetism, a third form of magnetism challenging over a century of established physics and potentially transforming future computing and electronics. Professors Jairo Sinova, Tomas Jungwirth, and Dr. Libor Šmejkal were recognized by the European Physical Society for establishing altermagnetism as a distinct magnetic order alongside ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism, with experimental confirmation following their theoretical predictions. Altermagnets combine antiferromagnets' zero net magnetization with ferromagnet-like electron properties, enabling rapid magnetic dynamics and spin-polarized currents for advanced spintronic devices, while opening new research frontiers in quantum materials and superconductivity.