WPI-SKCM² Graduate Fellow Takuma Iwata Receives Poster Award at SCES2026
Research by Takuma Iwata, Graduate Fellow at the International Institute for Sustainability with Knotted Chiral Meta Matter (WPI-SKCM²), Hiroshima University, was recognized with a Poster Award at the International Conference on Strongly Correlated Electron Systems (SCES2026), held at the Toyama International Conference Center.
Iwata presented his research on September 28 under the title “Realization of a parity-violating antiferromagnetic state in LaMnSi.” Within WPI-SKCM², the work was carried out in collaboration with Prof. Takuya Aoyama, Prof. Akio Kimura, and Prof. Kenta Kuroda, with further details available in a recently released preprint.
Iwata’s research seeks to understand how symmetry breaking in magnetic materials changes their electronic states and gives rise to new physical functionalities. By combining photoemission spectroscopy, which directly probes electronic structures, with optical spectroscopy sensitive to symmetry breaking, the research examines the relationship between microscopic electronic states and the broader symmetry properties of magnetic materials.
A key feature of the work is its combination of complementary spectroscopic techniques to investigate symmetry breaking from both electronic-structure and optical perspectives. As part of the research, Iwata independently developed and constructed an optical measurement system designed to detect symmetry-dependent responses associated with antiferromagnetic order. This experimental framework provides a new way to study electronic states that are strongly governed by magnetic symmetry.
Understanding how electronic properties can be controlled through symmetry and magnetic order could provide an important foundation for future energy-efficient electronics and spintronic technologies. As fundamental research, the findings may contribute to the development of new materials and device concepts designed to operate with lower energy consumption.
Commenting on receiving the award, Iwata said:
“I am very pleased to receive this recognition at an international conference. I greatly appreciate the opportunities provided by WPI-SKCM² to present and discuss my research with researchers from diverse backgrounds around the world. These experiences helped me learn how to communicate and discuss my research with a wide range of researchers and, I believe, contributed to receiving this award.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of my collaborators for their invaluable contributions, discussions, and support. This achievement would not have been possible without them.”
WPI-SKCM² congratulates Iwata on this recognition and acknowledges the contributions of all collaborators involved in the research. We look forward to his continued progress in advancing research on magnetic materials and electronic states.
