Researchers are charting a new course for computing efficiency by manipulating the fundamental vibrations of atoms, potentially unlocking a generation of hyper-efficient devices. This emerging field, known as orbitronics, leverages the orbital angular momentum of electrons – the path an electron takes around an atom’s nucleus – to store and process information in a fundamentally different way than current technologies.
Traditionally, controlling an electron’s orbit has required the use of magnetic materials like iron, which are often heavy, expensive, and limit the scalability of orbitronic devices. However, a recent breakthrough demonstrates that it’s possible to generate and control this orbital angular momentum without magnets, relying instead on the intrinsic properties of materials and their atomic structure. This innovation centers around “chiral phonons,” a phenomenon gaining traction in modern physics, and promises to streamline the development of more powerful and energy-efficient computing systems.
Harnessing Atomic Vibrations for Electron Control
The core of this advancement lies in the discovery that chiral phonons – essentially twisting atomic vibrations – can directly transfer orbital angular momentum to electrons in non-magnetic materials. “We don’t need a magnet. We don’t need a battery. We don’t need to use voltage. We just need a material with chiral phonons,” explained Valy Vardeny, distinguished professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Utah and co-author of the study published January 21, 2026, in Nature Physics. This represents a significant departure from conventional methods and opens up possibilities for creating devices with drastically reduced power consumption.
Atoms within solid materials are arranged in lattice-like structures, and these structures are constantly vibrating. Chiral phonons represent a specific type of vibration where the atoms twist in a spiral pattern. Researchers found that these unique vibrations can directly influence the orbital motion of electrons, effectively controlling their angular momentum. This control is achieved without the need for external magnetic fields or electrical inputs, simplifying device design and reducing energy demands.
Orbitronics: A New Frontier in Information Technology
Orbitronics is gaining momentum as a potential successor to spintronics, which utilizes the spin of electrons for information processing. One key advantage of orbitronics is that it doesn’t rely on spin-orbit coupling, broadening the range of materials that can be used in these applications, as noted in a review of the field published in npj Spintronics. The ability to manipulate orbital angular momentum too introduces new topological features that could lead to more robust and efficient data storage, and processing.
The implications of this research extend beyond simply improving existing technologies. Scientists believe that orbitronics could pave the way for entirely new types of devices with capabilities that are currently unattainable. “This research marks a significant milestone in quantum materials science and orbitronics, charting a fresh course for information technologies,” according to Bioengineer.org. The elegance of harnessing intrinsic atomic vibrations to control electron dynamics without magnets or electrical inputs could inspire a new generation of low-power, efficient, and scalable devices.
The Path Forward for Orbitronic Devices
Whereas this discovery represents a major step forward, significant challenges remain in translating this research into practical applications. Further investigation is needed to identify and develop materials with optimal chiral phonon properties and to understand how these properties can be tailored for specific device functionalities. Researchers are also exploring ways to control and manipulate chiral phonons with greater precision and efficiency.
The development of orbitronic devices is still in its early stages, but the potential benefits are substantial. As demand for faster and more powerful computing continues to grow, the ability to harness the orbital angular momentum of electrons could prove to be a game-changer in the field of information technology. The University of Utah’s research, alongside ongoing efforts in the broader scientific community, is laying the groundwork for a future where computing is more efficient, sustainable, and powerful.
What comes next will depend on continued materials science breakthroughs and engineering innovations. The focus will likely shift towards creating prototype devices and demonstrating the practical viability of orbitronic technology. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s discuss the future of computing!
