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Probing Multipolar Order in the Candidate Altermagnet MnF2 through the Elastocaloric Effect under Strain

Rahel Ohlendorf1,2,*, Luca Buiarelli3, Hilary M. L. Noad1, Andrew P. Mackenzie1,4, Rafael M. Fernandes5,6, Turan Birol3, Jörg Schmalian7,8, and Elena Gati1,2,9,†

  • *Contact author: Rahel.Ohlendorf@cpfs.mpg.de
  • †Contact author: e.gati@physik.uni-frankfurt.de
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Phys. Rev. Lett. 137, 056702 – Published 28 July, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/svrz-315w

Abstract

Altermagnets break a combination of time-reversal and rotational symmetries without generating a net magnetization. As such, the order parameter of d-wave altermagnets has the same symmetry as magnetic multipoles and couples to the product of a magnetic field and uniaxial strain. We combine elastocaloric experiments, free-energy modeling, and first-principles calculations on MnF2 to establish a thermodynamic probe of the predicted finite-temperature altermagnetic critical point. These results pave the way to explore altermagnetic quantum criticality in d-wave materials and beyond.

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Phys. Rev. Lett. 137, 056702– Published 28 July, 2026
  • Received 27 January 2026
  • Revised 13 May 2026
  • Accepted 16 June 2026
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Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI. Open access publication funded by the Max Planck Society.

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