For years scientists thought it was the spin of electrons that caused certain materials to act in quirky, quantum ways. But a new study from researchers around the globe says we’ve been focusing on the wrong kind of motion. It’s not spinning — it’s orbiting. Electrons zooming in loops around atoms are the real drivers of these effects.

In a chiral crystal called CoSi, researchers found these orbital motions create swirling patterns on the crystal’s surface called Fermi arcs. And those patterns change direction depending on whether the crystal is left or right-handed.

This matters because it opens up a new branch of tech called orbitronics.

Instead of using electron spin, like in spintronics, we might one day build devices based on how electrons orbit. That could mean computers that are faster, more stable and less energy intensive.

It’s also a big step for quantum materials science showing that the shape and symmetry of a material can guide the flow of information.
The study was published in Advanced Materials.

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