Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Spinning is key for line-dancing electrons in iron selenide

A team of researchers used resonant inelastic X-ray scattering to study the behavior of electron spins in iron selenide, a material that exhibits directionally-dependent electronic behavior. They found that high-energy spin excitations are dispersive and undamped, indicating a well-defined energy-versus-momentum relationship.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2022

Computational sleuthing confirms first 3D quantum spin liquid

Researchers use computational detective work to verify the existence of a 3D quantum spin liquid in cerium zirconium pyrochlore, overcoming decades-long challenge. The material exhibits fractionalized spin excitations, where electrons do not arrange their spins in relation to neighbors.

SourceRice University·Journalnpj Quantum Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 10, 2022

Researchers find superconductors can carry magnetic information to much longer distances than conventional metals

The study reveals that superconductors can transmit spin currents between magnets, allowing for controlled magnetic interactions and modifying the magnetic response. This breakthrough enables new approaches to information processing using magnetic materials at low temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2022

Metamaterial tiles boost sensitivity of large telescopes

Researchers developed low-cost, mass-producible metamaterial tiles to absorb environmental emissions and improve telescope sensitivity. The tiles enabled unprecedented sensitivity in measuring the cosmic microwave background, transforming our understanding of the universe's beginning and evolution.

SourceOptica·JournalApplied Optics·DateJan 26, 2021

Terahertz technology escapes the cold

Researchers at ETH Zurich have demonstrated a terahertz quantum cascade laser that operates without cryogenic cooling, reaching temperatures of up to 210 K. This breakthrough removes the main obstacles to widespread use in various applications, including non-invasive imaging and quality control.

SourceETH Zurich Department of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 10, 2019

Physics at the edge

Researchers have successfully created a graphene-based topological insulator, which enables the creation of low-dissipation ballistic electrical circuits. This breakthrough builds upon previous work and overcomes challenges related to spin-orbit coupling, a key component necessary for topological insulators.

A new way to count qubits

Researchers have created a new method for measuring the state of qubits, a crucial step towards building powerful quantum computers. This breakthrough could lead to significant advancements in fields like pharmaceutical development and cryptography.

SourceSyracuse University·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2018

The search for dark matter widens

Astronomers have discovered a new material that could directly detect dark matter particles, expanding the search scope to unexplored mass ranges. The material detects electrons recoiling from collisions with dark matter particles and operates near absolute zero.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMar 20, 2018

Webb Telescope's Houston highlights

The James Webb Space Telescope underwent critical cryogenic testing inside Chamber A at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, ensuring it will safely reach its orbit and perform its science mission. The telescope was subjected to a range of tests, including alignment checks and simulations of starlight detection.

Novel plasma diagnostics method

Researchers have created a novel plasma diagnostics method by studying the pressure change at the inner walls of energy-saving light bulbs. The technique measures the force exerted on a solid surface by plasma, providing insights into processes that conventional probes can't detect.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal D·DateApr 16, 2015

X-ray ptychography, fluorescence microscopy combo sheds new light on trace elements

Scientists have developed a new approach combining ptychographic X-ray imaging and fluorescence microscopy to study the role of trace elements in biological functions. This technique demonstrates unparalleled sensitivity for measuring trace element distribution in thicker specimens at cryogenic temperatures.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 13, 2015

World's best thermometer made from light

University of Adelaide researchers have created the world's most precise thermometer, using light to measure temperature differences of 30 billionths of a degree in just one second. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize industrial and medical applications where trace amount detection is crucial.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 1, 2014

Unified superconductors

Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding superconductors, proposing a single theoretical framework that could apply to various materials. The unified model suggests a common explanation for the phenomenon, which could lead to more efficient and cost-effective superconductor applications.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 14, 2014

Prototype NIST device measures absolute optical power in fiber at nanowatt levels

Researchers have demonstrated a prototype device capable of absolute measurements of optical power delivered through an optical fiber, outperforming existing devices with improved temperature control and speed. The new radiometer can measure power levels as low as 10 nanowatts with high accuracy, paving the way for ultraprecise calibra...

Zeroing in on quantum effects

Physicists use iron oxychalcogenides to study Mott localization in undoped pnictide parent compounds, providing further evidence that these systems are on the verge of Mott localization. This proximity to Mott localization endows the system with strong quantum magnetic fluctuations.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 28, 2010

Super cool atom thermometer

Researchers create a thermometer capable of measuring temperatures as low as tens of trillionths of a degree above absolute zero. By leveraging the magnetization of atoms in a magnetic field, scientists were able to extract temperature information from easily measurable properties.

SourceAmerican Physical Society·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 7, 2009

Improved spectrometer based on nonlinear optics

A new highly sensitive infrared spectrometer has been developed using nonlinear optics, offering 100 times higher sensitivity than current commercial devices. The device eliminates the need for cryogenic cooling, making it practical for various industrial applications.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Express·DateNov 12, 2008