Paul Scherrer Institute

Noncollinear kagome magnet driven by giant antisymmetric exchange

Kagome lattices host exotic phenomena such as quantum spin liquids, topological Weyl nodes, and flat bands. The kagome ferromagnet Co3Sn2S2 has been a focus of debate due to conflicting reports on its magnetic character. Here, using weakly perturbative probes—primarily neutron sc...

Multiband condensate of magnons in two dimensions

Wavelike bosonic particles can accumulate in a single mode characterized by a particular wavelength, and such condensates are at the heart of phenomena such as superconductivity and superfluidity where usually a single complex number describes their state. If there are several fl...

Importance of hydrated aerosol particles for aerosol–fog relationships in the Italian Po Valley

Abstract. Air pollution and fog are closely connected, influencing both visibility and human health. As relative humidity rises, aerosol particles absorb water and grow hygroscopically, potentially activating into fog droplets when supersaturation is reached. Distinguishing betwe...

An additional water is introduced into the manganese cluster during the formation of the S3 state of photosystem II

During photosynthetic water oxidation, the Mn4Ca cluster in Photosystem II progresses through five intermediate Si (i = 0–4) states. X-ray crystallography studies have reported the insertion of one new O ligand during the formation of the S3 state, but recent studies question the...

Direct Detection of Hydrogen Reveals a New Macroscopic Crustal Water Reservoir on Early Mars

Abstract The next great leap in Martian exploration is the return of samples to Earth. Maximizing their scientific value requires non‐destructive analytical techniques for early three‐dimensional characterization. Neutron computed tomography (CT), highly sensitive to hydrogen, co...

Time-resolved imaging of antiferromagnetic skyrmion interactions

Abstract Quantifying particle interactions is central to understanding and controlling collective dynamics in particle-based devices such as those comprising skyrmion ensembles. Here we directly visualize, in real time, the nanosecond current-driven dynamics of an antiferromagnet...

Support effects and design rules for enhanced phosphotungstic acid catalyzed olefin oligomerization to sustainable aviation fuels

Reducing the environmental footprint of aviation fuels requires catalysts that convert renewable olefins to jet-fuel hydrocarbons (JF). In this context, supported phosphotungstic acid (PTA) emerged as a promising Brønsted acid catalyst for this transformation. The performance of...