Project description
Special materials behaving like magnetic hold promise for low-power, secure computing
Altermagnetic materials are a newly discovered class of materials with zero net magnetisation that are poised to transform computing. Despite lacking overall magnetisation, they exhibit remarkable properties usually seen in materials with magnetic properties such as the anomalous Hall effect. This enables information storage and electrical readout without relying on spin-charge conversion, which can be complex and energy-intensive. These features make them ideal for ultra-efficient logic devices, consuming minimal energy while maintaining high reliability. The EIC-funded AMSwitch project will leverage these properties to develop two device concepts: a low-voltage field-effect switch, and a spin-polarised current-driven switch for compact inverters for cascadable logic devices. Resistant to stray magnetic fields, these devices promise ultra-low energy operation and reconfigurable computing through integration with ferroelectric gates.
Objective
The AMSwitch will pioneer a new class of logic switches based on altermagnetic (AM) materials—an emergent magnetic state characterized by zero net magnetization yet capable of showing an anomalous Hall effect. This key property enables information to be stored in the altermagnetic order while allowing for electrical readout, all without relying on spin-charge interconversion. As a result, the proposed devices promise ultra-low energy operation, with energy consumption per bit projected to fall below 1 aJ—approaching ultimate quantum limits.
AMSwitch explores two complementary device concepts: (1) a field-effect altermagnet switch, where gate-controlled modulation of Berry curvature enables the state manipulation at ultra-low voltages (~0.1 V) and (2) a spin-polarized current-driven switch, where 180° reorientation of the altermagnet Néel vector toggles the anomalous Hall response, enabling compact inverters suited for cascadable majority logic devices.
AMSwitch will advance the frontier of novel altermagnetism research, which is timely and can provide immunity to stray magnetic fields, enhancing device reliability and security, especially critical for low-power edge computing. Their non-volatility opens further possibilities through integration with ferroelectric gate, enabling reconfigurable, energy-efficient logic systems. The project brings together an interdisciplinary consortium comprising materials scientists, nanoscale device fabrication experts, electrical engineers, quantum matter theorists, synchrotron-based characterization specialists, and a quantum magnetometry company. This integrated approach ensures rapid feedback between basic research and application, positioning AMSwitch to deliver disruptive innovations in new logic technology.
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Keywords
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDEROPEN
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412 96 Goteborg
Sweden
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