Magnetic vortex state of natural lunar γ-Fe

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Liu, Pengfei; Jin, Ziliang; Gong, Zheng; Li, Long; Wang, Kang; Zeng, Xiandi; Liu, Jing; Song, Dongsheng; Du, Haifeng; Zhu, Kelei; Yan, Chuanxin; Li, Jinhua; Zhang, Keke; Williams, Wyn; Hirt, Ann M.
• 署名单位: Macau University of Science and Technology; Macau University of Science and Technology; Nanjing University; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, CAS; Anhui University; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Nanjing Institute of Geology & Paleontology, CAS; Institute of Geology & Geophysics, CAS; Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, CAS; University of Edinburgh; Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology Domain; ETH Zurich
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-8424; 1091-6490
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2608395123
• 发表日期: 2026-09-22
• 页码: e2608395123
• 关键词: Chang'e-6; gamma-Fe; magnetic vortex; lunar magnetic histories; spin dynamics; iron; phase; BCC; antiferromagnetism; ferromagnetism; CU(100); films

摘要

On the lunar surface alpha-Fe and Fe-Ni alloys are widespread and the dominant carriers of the lunar remanent magnetization. Metallic gamma-Fe, however, is stable only at high temperatures and has not been documented in lunar samples. Here we report the identification of ambient stable gamma-Fe preserved as nanometer-scale particles in Chang'e-6 impact glass fragments from the South Pole-Aitken Basin. Electron holography analyses reveal that these gamma-Fe particles have a magnetic vortex domain state. Based on these results, we propose that the formation and preservation of gamma-Fe at lunar surface temperature requires incorporation of trace gamma-phase-stabilizing elements together with extremely rapid quenching during lunar impact processes. Our findings provide a basis for understanding the lunar core dynamo evolution and impact-induced magnetic recording mechanisms.