The bizarre world of topological materials
Researchers are investigating topological materials for their potential to improve electronic performance and storage capacity. These materials display unusual stability even under extreme conditions.
Topology
Articles tagged with Topology
IST Austria Professor Herbert Edelsbrunner receives 2018 Wittgenstein Prize
Herbert Edelsbrunner, a renowned researcher in computational geometry and topology, has been awarded the 2018 Wittgenstein Prize. The prize will support his research, enabling him to establish Austria as a leading center for this field.
Core electron topologies in chemical bonding
A new benchmark quantum chemical calculation reveals a qualitative difference in the topologies of core electron orbitals between organic molecules and their silicon analogues. This discovery suggests that core electrons play a more significant role than previously thought, particularly in unsaturated compounds.
Designer materials with completely random structures might enable quantum computing
Researchers at Aalto University have developed an amorphous material exhibiting topological superconductivity, which could lead to the creation of lossless components for quantum computers. This discovery brings the field closer to application and potentially makes fabrication more convenient compared to current methods.
How the power of mathematics can help assess lung function
Researchers developed a computational way of analyzing X-ray images of lungs to assess Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other lung diseases. The new method uses topology, combining CT scans, high-performance computing, and algorithms to identify lung function characteristics.
The apparent inner calm of quantum materials
Researchers from UNIGE and CEA have discovered a novel topological phase transition in BACOVO, governed by two different sets of topological excitations. The team was able to control which set dominated the other, yielding a quantum phase transition.
Topological insulator 'flips' for superconductivity
Researchers at University of Illinois & Tokyo developed innovative 'flip-chip' technique to create layered TI/SC samples. Measurements revealed proximity effect induces superconductivity in both bulk and surface states, with surprising dependence on film thickness and temperature.
SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 30, 2018
Army scientists uncover how to stop cyber intrusions
Researchers at UCLA have discovered Majorana particles, which are critical building blocks for quantum computers due to their resistance to external interference. The discovery could lead to the development of robust topological quantum computing and potentially improve situational awareness for the US Army.
Mirror, mirror
Researchers have confirmed the existence of the charge Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) transition, a mirror-like phenomenon to vortex BKT transitions. The discovery builds on earlier work and could lead to breakthroughs in sensors, communication, memory storage, and other technologies.
Herbert Edelsbrunner awarded ERC Advanced Grant
Herbert Edelsbrunner, a mathematician and computer scientist at IST Austria, has been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant for his work on topological data analysis. He will develop a unified theory of alpha shapes, wrap complexes, and persistent homology to broaden and deepen the existing field.
Finding order in disorder demonstrates a new state of matter
Physicists have identified a new state of matter in artificial spin ice that exhibits topological ordered phases, previously found only in quantum conditions. The material appears disordered but is actually ordered in a topological form.
Physicists discover new quantum electronic material
Researchers create first kagome metal, an electrically conducting crystal with individual atoms arranged in a repeating triangular pattern. The material exhibits strange, quantum-like behaviors in passing electrons, including bending and creation of nearly massless particles.
New quantum spin liquid predicted by Nobel Laureate prepared for the first time
Researchers have successfully created a new quantum spin liquid, predicted by Paul W. Anderson in 1987, using a novel method developed at Aalto University. The achievement marks an important step towards understanding superconductors and building topological quantum computers with enhanced computational power.
HKUST-PKU physicists quantum simulate topological materials with ultracold atoms
Researchers created a synthetic crystal for ultracold atoms and emulated key properties of a one-dimensional topological material. The team's findings open up new possibilities for studying non-equilibrium quantum dynamics in exotic systems.
Direct observation of topology hidden inside materials
A joint research group has successfully observed topology hidden inside materials using soft X-rays. This achievement enables the direct determination of material topology without relying on surface appearance, which is expected to lead to the discovery of more diverse topological electronic phases.
Tricking photons leads to first-of-its-kind laser breakthrough
Researchers from the University of Central Florida and Technion-Israel have developed a nonmagnetic topological insulator laser, improving efficiency, beam quality, and resilience. This breakthrough technology has potential applications in various fields, including science and technology.
Gyroscopes lead scientists to unusual state of matter in a disorganized structure
Researchers at the University of Chicago discovered a topological wave in a randomly arranged material, defying traditional expectations. The finding offers new insights into collective motion and could have implications for electronics and optics.
MAA to honor authors of year's best books in mathematics
The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) has awarded the Euler Book Prize to Matt Parker for his book 'Things to Make and Do in the Fourth Dimension' and the Beckenbach Book Prize to Roland van der Veen and Jan van de Craats for their book 'The Riemann Hypothesis: A Million Dollar Problem',
A look into the fourth dimension
Researchers from ETH Zurich, USA, Germany, Italy, and Israel create a four-dimensional physical phenomenon in two dimensions using the quantum Hall effect. The team, led by Oded Zilberberg, demonstrates a virtual fourth dimension through topological pumping, enabling the observation of four-dimensional quantum Hall effect characteristics.
A powerful guiding principle for topological quantum synthesis
Researchers have developed a simple and efficient criterion to identify potential topological insulators, leveraging atomic number and Pauling electronegativity. This approach enables ready screening of candidate materials, reducing the need for detailed electronic structure calculations.
Electronically-smooth '3-D graphene': A bright future for trisodium bismuthide
Trisodium bismuthide (Na3Bi) has been found to have an electronically smooth nature similar to graphene, allowing it to maintain high electron mobility. This discovery opens up possibilities for the advancement of topological materials and their applications in electronics.
SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 22, 2017
Shape separates substance
Japanese researchers developed a novel phase-field model to study phase separation in binary mixtures within porous materials. The model revealed a clear relationship between demixing and wetness, influenced by the topology of the pore structure.
SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 22, 2017
Rice U. physicists discover new type of quantum material
Researchers predict creation of 'Weyl-Kondo semimetal,' a quantum material with unique properties, and demonstrate its existence through modeling. The discovery has significant implications for understanding high-temperature superconductivity and strongly correlated materials.
Rules for superconductivity mirrored in 'excitonic insulator'
Rice University physicists have successfully created a previously unseen state of matter, the excitonic insulator, which could be used to form component of topological quantum computer. The device uses braided qubits and has inherent topological signatures that could enable fault-tolerant qubits.
Nanomaterials: How to separate linear and ring-shaped molecules
Researchers developed an automatized strategy to separate circular molecules from their linear counterparts using microfluidic channels decorated with attractive spots. This separation technology is crucial for analyzing topology in biological systems and developing new materials.
Finding Majoranas
Researchers at UCSB have made a breakthrough in generating Majorana quasiparticles, which are essential for topological quantum computing. By using 'hashtag'-shaped nanowires, the team has successfully coaxed these exotic states into existence, paving the way for braiding and potentially revolutionizing quantum information processing.
Laser cavities take on new shapes and functionalities
The researchers have demonstrated the first laser cavity that can confine and propagate light in any shape imaginable, even pathways with sharp bends and angles. This new design could enable higher speed optical communication technologies.
What Earth's climate system and topological insulators have in common
Researchers found that the same mathematical principles governing topological insulators also drive equatorial waves in the ocean, explaining their persistence despite weather disturbances. This discovery could lead to new ways of identifying climate dynamics and deepening scientists' understanding of the Earth's climate system.
UTA computer scientist earns grant to combine methods to better analyze brain image data
Junzhou Huang will explore combining topology and machine learning to analyze brain image data, which is complex, multiscale, and heterogeneous. The goal is to predict the outcome of future data more accurately.
Heating quantum matter: A novel view on topology
Researchers demonstrate a universal probe for exotic states of matter by heating up quantum systems. This phenomenon is linked to the topological nature of the system and can be quantized in terms of a unique physical observable: the heating rate.
Software lets designers exploit the extremely high resolution of 3-D printers
Researchers at MIT developed a new design system that catalogs physical properties of tiny cube clusters, enabling computationally efficient evaluation of macroscopic designs. The system explores the entire space of properties to determine printable clusters, which can be used to optimize object materials and properties.
Scientists discover new magnet with nearly massless charge carriers
Researchers at Louisiana State University and Tulane University have observed topological behavior in a magnet, Sr1-yMn1-zSb2, which displays nearly massless electronic charge carriers. This discovery holds promise for novel device concepts with reduced power consumption and heat production.
Pulses of electrons manipulate nanomagnets and store information
Scientists use electron pulses to create and manipulate nanoscale magnetic excitations that can store data, confirming dynamic understandings provided by theory. Tailored electron pulses can swiftly write, erase or switch topologically protected magnetic textures such as skyrmions.
Breakthrough in spintronics
A team of Würzburg physicists has developed a new concept for topological insulators that can process data at room temperature, eliminating the need for extreme cooling. This breakthrough could lead to efficient information technology and advances in spintronics.
New class of insulating crystals hosts quantized electric multipole moments
Researchers have theoretically predicted a new class of insulating phases, pinpointing potential locations in nature. These insulators generate quantized electric quadrupole or octupole moments, offering a significant theoretical breakthrough in condensed matter research.
Physicists demonstrate topological superconductivity on palladium dibismuthides
Physicists have successfully demonstrated topological superconductivity in β-Bi2Pd films, a crucial step towards fault-tolerant quantum computing. The researchers found that tuning the chemical potential can isolate topological surface states, revealing a promising candidate for topological superconductor.
New method could enable more stable and scalable quantum computing, Penn physicists report
Researchers have discovered a new topological material that could overcome difficulties in creating fault-tolerant quantum computers. By patterning the superconductor directly into the crystal, they can eliminate electrical contact problems and pattern devices for quantum computing in one single crystal.
New avenue for the large-scale synthesis of 'God' Janus particles
Researchers developed a novel approach to synthesizing Janus particles with controllable topological and chemical anisotropy using emulsion interfacial polymerization. The method produced uniform Janus particles with amphiphilicity, expanding their utility in applications such as oil-water separation and biological detection.
It's all in the math: New tool provides roadmap for cell development
Researchers created a new tool that analyzes RNA sequencing data using topology, providing insights into cellular differentiation and development. The approach identifies connections between cellular states and genes active during development, offering potential discoveries in understanding cell identity and guiding cellular development.
First-ever direct observation of chiral currents in quantum Hall atomic simulation
Researchers directly observed chiral currents in a 2-D integer quantum Hall system using an atomic quantum simulator. The team created a synthetic magnetic field and manipulated it to observe emergent behavior, showcasing the potential of this technique.
SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 24, 2017
Group works toward devising topological superconductor
A Cornell research group led by Eun-Ah Kim proposes a strategy to create a topological superconductor using transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). If successful, this could pave the way for building a powerful quantum computer with approximately six times more qubits than current models.
Artificial topological matter opens new research directions
Researchers have created a structure that allows tuning of topological properties, enabling the control of current flow and opening up possibilities for circuits based on topological behaviors. The discovery presents a new artificial crystal lattice structure for studying quantum behaviors.
Gray tin exhibits novel topological electronic properties in 3-D
Alpha-tin, commonly called gray tin, shows a novel electronic phase under strain, exhibiting massless Dirac fermions in three dimensions. This discovery holds promise for novel physics and potential applications in technology, including ultrafast electronic devices and spintronic devices.
SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateApr 4, 2017
$1 million grant to Yijun Ruan of JAX from Human Frontier Science Program
JAX Professor Yijun Ruan has received a $1.05 million grant from the Human Frontier Science Program to explore the fundamental mechanics of memory and learning, as well as epilepsy. The research team will investigate how genome topology contributes to changes in gene expression that underlie these conditions.
Chinese scientists discovered tip induced unconventional superconductivity on Weyl semimetals
Weyl semimetal TaAs crystals exhibit zero bias conductance peak and double conductance peaks upon PtIr tip contact, indicating unconventional superconductivity. The study opens a new method to induce potential topological superconductivity on non-superconducting materials.
The Darknet protects itself by being more robust against attacks
The Darknet's unique topology makes it difficult to attack, with an attack on a specific node requiring four times more strength than one on the internet. The network can easily counter large attacks by adding more capacity through its decentralized onion router protocol.
Superconductivity with two-fold symmetry -- new evidence for topological superconductor SrxBi2Se3
Researchers detected two-fold symmetry in superconductivity of SrxBi2Se3, providing new evidence for its topological superconductor status. The findings are consistent with earlier experiments and suggest nontrivial topological order in the material.
Penn researchers are among the first to grow a versatile 2-dimensional material
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have successfully grown a single layer of tungsten ditelluride, a unique two-dimensional material with predicted topological electronic states. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in quantum computing, as these materials may enable intrinsically error-tolerant forms of computation.
Theorists propose new class of topological metals with exotic electronic properties
Researchers propose a new class of topological metals with unique electronic properties, including relativistic behavior and perfect compensation. This classification could help scientists find other materials with similar properties.
Electron highway inside crystal
Physicists at the University of Würzburg have discovered a new electronic state in topological crystalline insulators, creating conductive channels for electrical currents. The channels are narrow and robust, making the materials suitable for ultra-fast and energy-efficient computers.
An Archimedes' screw for groups of quantum particles
A team of international researchers has developed a scheme to protect groups of quantum particles and enable their coherent transportation. The proposal, based on the ideas of physicist David J. Thouless, utilizes topological pumping to move quantum states along a line of miniature quantum circuits.
SourceCentre for Quantum Technologies at the National University of Singapore·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 18, 2016
Dusa McDuff and Dietmar Salamon to receive 2017 AMS Steele Prize for Exposition
Dusa McDuff and Dietmar Salamon will receive the 2017 AMS Steele Prize for Exposition for their comprehensive book on J-holomorphic curves and symplectic topology. The prize recognizes their contributions to the field, which has rapid development since Mikhael Gromov's introduction of J-holomorphic curves in 1985.
Brown University's J. Michael Kosterlitz wins Nobel Prize in Physics
J. Michael Kosterlitz, Professor of Physics at Brown University, has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking work on topological phase transitions and exotic states of matter. His discoveries have opened up new avenues for materials science and electronics.
Physicists predict novel phenomena in exotic materials
Researchers at MIT develop a theoretical model for topological semimetals, predicting several new ones with unique electrical properties. The model describes the chemical formula and crystal structure of a new material that should exhibit unprecedented electrical characteristics.
Solid-state physics: Probing the geometry of energy bands
Researchers at LMU Munich develop a new method to probe the geometry of electronic states in solids using ultracold atoms in an optical lattice. The technique, based on Wilson lines, reveals both local and global properties of the band structure, including topological aspects.
Purdue professor selected to establish Station Q Purdue, part of Microsoft Station Q
Professor Manfra is leading a team at Purdue to develop new materials for topological qubits, which are expected to be more robust against noise. The team uses molecular beam epitaxy to create special, ultrapure materials and aims to bring scientists and engineers together to solve challenging technical problems.
Two Indiana University professors named American Mathematical Society Fellows
Valery Lunts and Vladimir Touraev, both from Indiana University, have been named 2016 American Mathematical Society Fellows for their significant work in algebraic geometry, category theory, and low-dimensional topology. The recognition highlights the university's total of 15 AMS fellows across campuses.
Fernando Codá Marques and André Neves to receive the 2016 AMS Oswald Veblen Prize
Fernando Codá Marques and André Neves have made groundbreaking contributions to differential geometry with their proof of the Willmore conjecture. The resolution has far-reaching implications for understanding surfaces and has illuminated new approaches to other significant questions in topology and geometry.
The route to high temperature superconductivity goes through the flat land
Aalto researchers discover that electrons in a 'flat band' can carry electrical current, leading to potential breakthroughs in high temperature superconductivity. The key to this phenomenon lies in the quantum metric and Chern number, which measure the spread of electron waves in a crystal.
Researchers observe surprising phase transition
A Purdue University-led team observed an unexpected phase transition between two different phase categories in an ultrapure material. The transition was made possible by extreme pressures and temperatures, allowing electrons to exhibit unusual behavior.