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This paper introduces "phonomagnetism," a novel form of magnetism arising from the spontaneous ordering of phonon angular momentum, mediated by spin-phonon angular-momentum coupling that induces an effective exchange interaction between local ionic angular momenta. The theory predicts a phonomagnetic phase near a ferromagnetic critical point, with interaction strength dependent on spin susceptibility, and identifies VI$_3$ as a potential candidate material by linking first-principles phonon calculations and Raman spectroscopy data to observed magnetic anomalies. This work establishes phononic analogues of established spin models and suggests new avenues for high-speed information storage and manipulation.
Phonons, not just electrons, can spontaneously generate magnetism through ordered angular momentum, offering a new paradigm for magnetic phenomena.
Magnetism is a fundamental property of matter, typically arising from collective ordering of electronic spin and orbital angular momentum. Other quasiparticles interact with magnetism. However, they have not been considered its primary source. Here we show that phonons can generate a distinct form of magnetism through spontaneous ordering of their angular momentum. This phonomagnetism emerges from spin-phonon angular-momentum coupling, producing an effective exchange interaction between local ionic angular momenta. We show that the interaction strength depends on spin susceptibility, with a phonomagnetic phase predicted near a ferromagnetic critical point. Our theory also reveals phononic analogues of established spin models, including phonon Heisenberg, phonon $\Gamma$-model, and phonon Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions. Combining first-principles phonon calculations with recent data from Raman spectroscopy, we identify VI$_3$ as a candidate phonomagnet, providing a microscopic framework for interpreting the weak magnetic anomaly reported above its bulk ferromagnetic transition. These findings open avenues for new platforms for information storage and manipulation on picosecond timescales.