Strong Magnetic Fields Flip Angular Momentum Dynamics in Magnetovortical Matter

Study shows orbital angular momentum can outweigh spin in strong magnetic fields, reshaping our view of magnetized quantum systems

Angular momentum is a fundamental quantity in physics that describes the rotational motion of objects. In quantum physics, it encompasses both the intrinsic spin of particles and their orbital motion around a point. These properties are essential for understanding a wide range of systems, from atoms and molecules to complex materials and high-energy particle interactions.

When a magnetic field is applied to a quantum system, particle spins typically align with or against the field. This well-known effect, known as spin polarization, leads to observable phenomena such as magnetization. Until now, it was widely believed that spin played the dominant role in how particles respond to magnetic fields. However, new research challenges this long-held view.

In this vein, Assistant Professor Kazuya Mameda of Tokyo University of Science, Japan, in collaboration with Professor Kenji Fukushima of School of Science, The University of Tokyo and Dr. Koichi Hattori of Zhejiang University, found that under strong magnetic fields, the orbital motion of magnetovortical matter becomes more significant than spin effects, leading to reversing the overall direction of angular momentum.The study will be published in Physical Review Letters on July 01, 2025.

It was previously believed that most microscopic phenomena in a magnetic field were governed by spin angular momentum—a physical quantity characterizing the intrinsic rotational motion of microscopic particles,” explains Dr. Mameda. “However, this study found that in a strong magnetic field, orbital motion can overwhelm spin effects, reversing the direction of rotational motion from what was previously believed.”

The researchers studied fermionic systems—specifically Dirac fermions—subjected to both strong magnetic fields and rotation. By ensuring gauge invariance and thermodynamic stability in their theoretical framework, they demonstrated that orbital contributions to bulk properties can exceed spincontributions.

Unlike spin, which aligns with the magnetic field, the orbital angular momentum aligns according to Lenz’s law—opposite to the direction of the magnetic field. As the magnetic field intensifies, the charge density from the orbital-rotation coupling and orbital angular momentum grow twice the magnitude of their spin counterparts, but with opposite sign.

This reversal in total angular momentum reshapes our understanding of magnetovortical matter and links its behavior to a broader class of quantum effects known as anomaly-induced transports. The findings also pave the way for simulations using lattice QCD—a powerful computational tool for studying strongly interacting particles such as quarks and gluons under extreme conditions.

The discovery that a strong magnetic field can reverse angular momentum in quantum systems challenges established theories. It highlights the previously underestimated role of orbital motion, showing it to be more influential than spin in certain regimes. This insight could spark advances in groundbreaking technologies, particularly in orbitronics, a field dedicated to manipulating the orbital motion of electrons.

“Total angular momentum reversal under strong magnetic fields has been overlooked across fields from materials science to astrophysics. Our findings redefine the foundational physics of modern physicsand point to new frontiers in orbitronics—where controlling electron orbital motion could lead to innovative device applications,” concludes Dr. Mameda.

Image title: Spin versus orbital polarization under an external rotation field with varying magnetic field strength

Image caption: (a) In a weak magnetic field, broad cyclotron orbits suppress the orbital contribution, allowing spin polarization to dominate, (b) In strong magnetic fields, tight cyclotron orbits enhance orbital polarization, which overtakes the spin effect and can reverse the overall direction of the angular momentum.

Image credit: Kazuya Mameda from Tokyo University of Science, Japan

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Image license: Original content

Usage restrictions: Cannot be used without permission

Reference 

Further information

Assistant Professor Kazuya Mameda

Department of Physics

Tokyo University of Science

Email: k.mameda@rs.tus.ac.jp

Professor Kenji Fukushima

Department of Physics

School of Science, The University of Tokyo

Email: fuku@nt.phys.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Tenure-track Professor Koichi Hattori

Department of Physics

Zhejiang University

Email:koichi.hattori@zju.edu.cn  

Media contact

Yoshimasa Iwasaki

Public Relations Division

Tokyo University of Science

Email: mediaoffice@admin.tus.ac.jp

Website: https://www.tus.ac.jp/en/mediarelations/

Project Specialist Kanako Takeda

Office of Communication

School of Science, The University of Tokyo

Email: media.s@gs.mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Website: https://www.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/press/index.html

Zhuyun Liu

School of Physics

Zhejiang University

Email: phylzy@zju.edu.cn

Website: https://physics.zju.edu.cn/phy/

Funding information

This work is supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI Grant

Nos. 20K03948, 22H01216, 22H05118, and 24K17052.

Summary for EurekAlert (70-75 words)

The prevailing view in quantum physics has been that spin angular momentum determines how particles align in magnetic fields. Now, a breakthrough study led by researchers from Tokyo University of Science, Japan, reveals that under strong magnetic fields, orbital motion becomes dominant and reverses the direction of angular momentum. These findings point to promising new directions in quantum physics and pave the way for emerging technologies in the field of orbitronics.