Fluctuating magnetic moments in liquid metals

TL;DR

This paper reveals that non-magnetic liquid metals like Hg, Al, Ga, and Pb exhibit fluctuating magnetic moments on a picosecond scale, linked to ion cage-diffusion dynamics, based on re-analyzed neutron scattering data.

Contribution

It demonstrates the presence of fluctuating magnetic moments in non-magnetic liquid metals, a novel insight supported by re-analyzed experimental data.

Findings

Fluctuating magnetic moments are present in liquid Hg, Al, Ga, and Pb.

The magnetic fluctuations occur on a picosecond time scale.

These moments are possibly present in alkali metals.

Abstract

We re-analyze literature data on neutron scattering by liquid metals to show that non-magnetic liquid metals possess a magnetic moment that fluctuates on a picosecond time scale. This time scale follows the motion of the cage-diffusion process in which an ion rattles around in the cage formed by its neighbors. We find that these fluctuating magnetic moments are present in liquid Hg, Al, Ga and Pb, and possibly also in the alkali metals.