spin wave

A spin wave, also known as a magnon, is a quantized unit of energy that propagates through a magnetic substance. In materials like iron, atoms act as tiny magnets, typically aligned to reinforce each other's magnetic fields. When an atomic magnet's direction reverses, it decreases the overall magnetic strength, and this energy decrease is a magnon.12

This reversal doesn't happen in isolation; it's equivalent to a partial reversal of many atomic magnets, creating a wave of energy transfer that spreads through the solid. This wave is called a spin wave because atomic magnetism originates from the spin of electrons. As temperature rises, more magnons are present, leading to a decrease in magnetic strength. Spintronics is a related field that utilizes electron spin for logic operations in electronic devices.23