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Quantum physicists crack mystery of 'strange metals,' a new state of matter

Researchers at the Flatiron Institute and Cornell University developed a robust theoretical model of strange metals, revealing their existence as a new state of matter. The model shows that strange metals exhibit properties linked to temperature and fundamental constants, with surprising connections to black holes and high-temperature ...

SourceSimons Foundation·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 23, 2020

Electrons obey social distancing in 'strange' metals

Electrons in Planckian metals exhibit high-temperature superconductivity due to their desire for social distancing. By adjusting the ratio between kinetic energy and interaction energy, researchers created a model that captures the system's behavior down to absolute zero.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 23, 2020

Laser takes pictures of electrons in crystals

Researchers have developed a new laser-based microscope that can resolve the distribution of electrons in crystal lattices with unprecedented resolution. The technique, known as Light Picoscopy, uses powerful laser pulses to drive electrons into fast motion, allowing them to emit radiation that reveals their position within the crystal.

SourceUniversity of Rostock·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 1, 2020

Exploring mass dependence in electron-hole clusters

Research by Alexei Frolov finds distinct relationships between particle masses and cluster properties, improving understanding of semiconductors' optical spectra. The study's formulas could be adapted to describe clusters with varying masses, enabling finer tuning of semiconductor properties.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateJun 18, 2020

Innocent and highly oxidizing

Researchers at University of Freiburg developed a novel, stable oxidizing agent that overcomes common disadvantages of existing oxidants. The new reagent allows for the synthesis of reactive species in standard laboratory solvents and has broad applicability in inorganic, organic chemistry, electrochemical research.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 3, 2020

The cascade to criticality

Quasiperiodic structures exhibit unique beauty and intriguing physics, but a lack of overarching framework hindered understanding. Researchers establish versatile tools for exploring quantum behavior in diverse quasiperiodic settings, demonstrating the strength of their approach to uncover new physical mechanisms.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalNature Physics·DateJun 1, 2020

A special elemental magic

Physicists from Kyoto University have developed a new 'Nucletouch' table that reimagines the periodic table of elements around protons in the nucleus, rather than electrons. This shift highlights alternative ways to illustrate natural laws and provides a fresh perspective on familiar elements.

SourceKyoto University·JournalFoundations of Chemistry·DateMay 27, 2020

Seven at one pulse

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf have developed a novel material that can increase the frequency of terahertz radiation by a factor of seven, paving the way for potential IT applications. The material, cadmium arsenide, is a three-dimensional Dirac material that enables non-linear frequency conversion.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 19, 2020

Plasma electrons can be used to produce metallic films

Researchers at Linköping University have developed a method to create thin metallic films using free electrons in a plasma, eliminating the need for powerful molecular reducing agents. This innovation enables the production of processors and similar components without the constraints of traditional chemical vapor deposition methods.

SourceLinköping University·JournalJournal of Vacuum Science & Technology A Vacuum Surfaces and Films·DateMay 7, 2020

Photons and electrons one on one

Researchers in the Keller group at ETH Zurich have measured for the first time how single photons alter an unbound electron's dynamics. They found a delay of up to 12 attoseconds between s- and d-electrons, depending on their angular momentum. This subtle signature reflects underlying quantum-mechanical effects.

Frozen-planet states in exotic helium atoms

Physicists have mapped the energy levels of exotic helium atoms and discovered a 'frozen planet' state configuration where an antiproton is trapped. This study provides insights into the stability of such configurations, which may be more amenable to experimental research.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateMar 18, 2020

Electrons in rapid motion

Scientists successfully track oscillations with a period of about 150 attoseconds, revealing the temporal decay of quantum interference. This experiment paves the way for new applications in studying atomic and molecular processes triggered by high-energy radiation.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 14, 2020

Making high-temperature superconductivity disappear to understand its origin

Researchers used a new technique to study the origin of superconductivity in cuprates by overdoping a material until it disappeared. They found that purely electronic interactions likely lead to high-temperature superconductivity and that this interaction emerges exactly when superconductivity starts, strengthening as it gets stronger.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 3, 2020

An ultrafast microscope for the quantum world

Scientists have created a high-speed camera for the quantum world, enabling the precise tracking of electron movements at a resolution of a few hundred attoseconds. This microscope can be used to analyze processes in tiny electronic components and molecules, providing valuable insights for developing faster and more efficient electronics.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScience·DateJan 29, 2020

Electronics at the speed of light

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have successfully controlled ultrafast motion of electrons in a metallic nanocircuit using light manipulation. The new method could speed up electronic switching in devices, enabling faster processing and higher performance.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature Physics·DateDec 23, 2019

Research reveals new state of matter: a Cooper pair metal

A team of researchers has revealed a new state of matter where Cooper pairs enable electricity to flow with some resistance. This finding challenges current theories and requires further investigation. The discovery was made using a technique that involves patterning a thin-film superconductor with arrays of tiny holes.

SourceBrown University·JournalScience·DateNov 14, 2019

Retrieving physical properties from two-colour laser experiments

Physicists have discovered that useful information about ultrafast light-matter interactions is buried deep within signals produced by two-colour pump-probe experiments. Advanced techniques are required to extract this information, which could lead to breakthroughs in fields such as vision and photosynthesis.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateOct 25, 2019

SUTD physicists unlock the mystery of thermionic emission in graphene

Researchers from SUTD discovered a new theory that describes thermionic emission in graphene, improving the accuracy of models used to design devices. The new approach overcomes limitations of existing Dirac cone approximation, enabling universal descriptions of graphene-based devices across different temperatures and energy regimes.

SourceSingapore University of Technology and Design·JournalPhysical Review Applied·DateOct 7, 2019

2,000 atoms in two places at once

Researchers at the University of Vienna and University of Basel successfully create a quantum superposition in hot, complex molecules composed of nearly 2,000 atoms. The experiment sets new constraints on alternative theories to quantum mechanics, demonstrating the robustness of quantum mechanics on a macroscopic scale.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 1, 2019

Quantum material goes where none have gone before

Physicists at Rice University have created a new alloy that exhibits unusual electronic properties when traversing the final frontier of quantum criticality. The cerium palladium aluminum alloy behaves like a spin liquid, a metallic system with exotic properties that can be found in other strongly correlated materials.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Physics·DateSep 30, 2019