Solid State Physics
Articles tagged with Solid State Physics
Texas A&M opens world’s largest academic controlled-explosions lab
The new facility enables scientists to observe and measure detonation forces in unprecedented detail, shedding light on industrial safety risks and potential breakthroughs. Researchers aim to develop safer designs and protocols by examining detonation disasters like the Buncefield Fire.
Electrocatalysts: New model for charge separation at the solid-liquid interface
Researchers developed a powerful model to understand charge separation at the interface, influencing catalytic activity. The model provides insights into the formation of electric double layers and local electric potential variations.
Laser tornado in a synthetic magnetic field
Researchers from the University of Warsaw and other institutions created optical tornadoes by combining spatially variable birefringence with an optical microcavity. This allows for the creation of miniature light sources with complex structures, potentially enabling simpler and more scalable photonic devices.
Solid but fluid: New materials reconfigure their entire crystal structure in response to humidity
Researchers at CUNY ASRC have created peptide-based crystalline solids that can switch between soft layered and stiff honeycomb architectures in response to humidity. These dynamic solids exhibit large, controllable changes in mechanical and optical properties, enabling unprecedented adaptability.
Towards tailor-made heat expansion-free materials for precision technology
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered a hydrogen-absorbing material with negative thermal expansion properties, which can be tuned by adjusting the amount of hydrogen. This finding promises custom high-precision ingredients for precision nanotechnology, addressing volume changes in materials under heating.
Hybrid ‘super foam’: tunable, lightweight and ultra-durable
Researchers at Texas A&M University and DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory developed a hybrid foam with a 3D-printed plastic skeleton, offering tunable, lightweight and ultra-durable properties. The composite combines ordinary foam with plastic struts, allowing it to absorb more energy and withstand greater forces.
Surprising effects under ion bombardment: the quantum switch
Researchers at TU Wien investigate the surprising effects of ion bombardment on the quantum material 1T-TaS2. They observe a clean and reliable switching behavior, where the material's state is reliably switched after each impact.
Wood becomes a high-strength conductor through metal-based eutectic gels
Researchers introduce a new strategy using natural wood as a structural scaffold for conductive eutectogels, enabling mechanically robust and environmentally stable materials. The resulting eutectogel achieves high tensile strength, toughness, and ionic conductivity, making it suitable for wearable electronics and smart sensing systems.
A new thermoelectric material to convert waste heat to electricity
Researchers have discovered a new thermoelectric material, MoSi2, that can convert waste heat into electricity with high efficiency. The material's unique electronic structure and axis-dependent conduction polarity enable it to generate transverse thermopower, paving the way for efficient waste heat recovery systems.
New solution to an old magnetism puzzle
Researchers from TU Wien have provided a surprising explanation for the long-standing relation between magnetism and superconductivity in quantum materials. Altermagnetism, an unusual form of magnetism, is found to be experimentally observable in certain materials when superconductivity sets in.
Phytic acid–driven structural engineering unlocks high-performance lignin-based carbon aerogel supercapacitors
Researchers developed a synergistic structure-doping regulation strategy for lignin-based carbon aerogels using phytic acid, promoting uniform spherical hierarchical structures and dual phosphorus-sulfur doping. This approach achieves high-performance supercapacitors with superior power density and energy storage capabilities.
From biocidal coatings to medicines: A nanocomposite sting for microorganisms
The B-STING silica nanocomposite acts as a nanofactory of reactive oxygen species, activating itself in response to changes in the chemical environment. This material can be used to create biocidal coatings that are safe, durable, and resistant to dirt, with potential applications in medicine and other industries.
Microelectronics: Researchers identify parent compound for chiral materials
Physicists at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have discovered a precursor for electronically chiral materials, which could pave the way for uniform chirality in thin layers. These materials could provide a solution to modern microelectronics' size and efficiency limitations.
Light switches made of ultra-thin semiconductor layers
A nanostructure composed of silver and an atomically thin semiconductor layer can be turned into an ultrafast switching mirror device, displaying properties of both light and matter. This discovery could lead to dramatically increased information transmission rates in optical data processing.
Wood becomes smart glass: Photo- and electro-chromic membrane switches tint in seconds
A team of researchers has developed a dual-response cellulose–WO3 composite film that can switch tint in seconds and survive 200 cycles. The membrane is made from wood and can be roll-coated on existing paper machines, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional smart glass.
Is “Smoking Gun” evidence enough to prove scientific discovery?
A team of scientists found alternative explanations for data in topological quantum computing, challenging the field's progress. They proposed changes to increase experimental result reliability by sharing more data and discussing alternative explanations.
Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University researchers capture real-time molecular movies of enzyme catalysis
Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University researchers have captured time-resolved structures of an enzyme during its catalytic cycle, revealing dynamics that are nearly impossible to observe by other methods. This breakthrough offers valuable insights into enzyme function and potential applications in molecular design of novel enzymes.
Magnetic ordering induces Jahn–Teller effect in spinel-type compounds
A team of researchers at Waseda University has discovered a new correlation between spins, orbitals, and lattice distortions in spinel-type compounds. Magnetic ordering can trigger Jahn-Teller distortions through spin-orbit coupling.
New superconducting thin film for quantum computer chips
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science have created a new superconducting thin film from iron telluride, suitable for quantum computing applications. The film's unique crystal structure, resulting from intentional misalignment of atomic layers, reduces lattice distortion and enables low-temperature superconductivity.
Expanding the search for quantum-ready 2D materials
Researchers from the University of Chicago have developed a high-throughput computational strategy to find ideal 2D materials and substrates for qubits. They discovered 189 materials that could potentially support coherence times longer than those of diamond, including WS2 and Au-oxyselenides.
Synchrotron radiation sources: toolboxes for quantum technologies
Synchrotron radiation sources provide a toolkit for characterizing quantum materials and devices, enabling precise control over quantum systems. Key methods include non-destructive imaging and X-ray diffraction.
Scientists achieve record-breaking electrical conductivity in new quantum material
Researchers at the University of Warwick and National Research Council of Canada have created a new quantum material with unprecedented electrical conductivity, enabling faster and more efficient electronics. The breakthrough could lead to applications in quantum information processing, AI, and data-center hardware.
The quantum door mystery: Electrons that can’t find the exit
Electron behavior in solid materials has been puzzling scientists, but a new study reveals that energy alone is not enough for them to escape. The discovery of doorway states explains why different materials exhibit unique behaviors despite similar electron energy levels.
A new way to guide light, undeterred
A new system developed by Penn researchers allows light to be guided through tiny crystals with minimal scattering or reflection. This breakthrough paves the way for more efficient and controllable photonic chips, enabling faster data transmission and reduced errors.
New Barkhausen noise measurement system unlocks key to efficient power electronics
Researchers developed a wide-band and high-sensitivity magnetic Barkhausen noise measurement system to understand energy loss mechanisms in soft magnetic materials. The study revealed that damping caused by eddy currents generated during DW motion is the main cause of excess eddy current losses.
Graphene reaches ultimate electronic quality — two breakthrough methods push graphene beyond semiconductor limits
Researchers from NUS and The University of Manchester develop two breakthrough methods to overcome electronic disorder in graphene, setting new records for electron mobility. Twist-angle engineering and proximity screening enable the observation of quantum effects in unprecedented conditions.
New method upgrades liquid crystals with better recall
Researchers have developed a novel way for liquid crystals to retain information about their movement, enabling the creation of smart and flexible materials. The breakthrough could lead to advancements in memory devices, sensors, and new types of physics.
Yonsei University researchers directly measure quantum metric tensor in real material
Researchers at Yonsei University have successfully measured the full quantum metric tensors of Bloch electrons in solids, a breakthrough that could lead to advanced semiconductor technologies and higher transition-temperature superconductors. The study used black phosphorus as a representative material for photoemission measurements.
Ten thousand molecules in time – Generation and control of collective vibrations in a liquid
Scientists generate collective molecular vibrations in a liquid by placing an electron ultrafast. These vibrations govern the electric behavior of the liquid and can be tuned to adapt its properties. The study reveals new insights into polar liquids' dynamics.
Flash-freezing silicon mimics Big Bang
A team of scientists from Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf analyzed the behavior of flash-frozen silicon surfaces, revealing a strong impact of cooling rates on crystal growth. The results show that slow cooling produces large, ordered domains with a uniform honeycomb structure.
Shedding new light on invisible forces: hidden magnetic clues in everyday metals unlocked
Researchers develop new method to detect subtle magnetic signals in common metals like copper, gold, and aluminum, using a laser and large-amplitude modulation of the external magnetic field. This breakthrough could lead to advances in semiconductor industry, spintronic devices, and quantum systems.
Caltech team adds up Feynman diagrams to make predictions about real materials
Researchers at Caltech have created a new method to sum up large numbers of Feynman diagrams, enabling the prediction of electron-phonon interactions in materials. This breakthrough has solved the polaron problem, allowing scientists to predict how electrons flow in certain materials, both conventional and quantum.
MXenes: materials on the move
MXene materials have been engineered to respond to light, enabling their use in soft robotics applications. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new types of robots that can change shape and function in response to external stimuli.
Hydrogen treatment for dramatically improving the performance of polycrystalline germanium thin films for semiconductors
Researchers introduced hydrogen into high-quality Ge thin films, reducing hole density by three orders of magnitude. Low-temperature annealing repaired surface defects, further improving device performance and applicability.
Wafer lens changes X-ray beam size by more than 3,400 times
Researchers from Nagoya University have developed a deformable mirror that changes X-ray beam size by more than 3,400 times using a single-crystal piezoelectric thin wafer of lithium niobate. This technology enhances both imaging and analysis, especially for industry applications.
Thin-film research enters new era with innovative AI approach
A public-private partnership integrates large language models and multimodal AI to automate MBE growth, improving reproducibility and efficiency. The AI software will be tested on Gallium Nitride before being applied to complex materials systems.
Electricity from heat through “traffic jam of electrons”
A research team at TU Wien has demonstrated how electrical current can be generated using 'traffic jam of electrons' in certain materials. By incorporating additional immobile charge carriers into the material, they were able to create a significant improvement in thermoelectric properties.
Stabilizing fleeting quantum states with light
Scientists from Harvard University and PSI have developed a method to stabilize transient quantum states in materials using tailored optical excitation. This breakthrough enables the study of emergent properties of quantum materials, paving the way for transformative technologies such as lossless electronics and high-capacity batteries.
Up and running—first room-temperature quantum accelerator of its kind in Europe
Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics launches first room-temperature quantum accelerator, enabling energy-efficient hybrid quantum-classical computing. The QB-QDK2.0 system uses synthetic diamond substrates and NV centers to create stable qubits for industrial applications.
Discovery could boost solid-state battery performance
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have discovered a way to improve solid-state battery performance by creating a 'space charge layer' that enhances ion movement. This breakthrough could lead to better-performing batteries with improved safety and increased energy storage capacity.
Forgotten property of the electron
Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich have discovered a property of crystal structure called chirality that influences the orbital angular momentum of electrons. This could lead to a new class of electronic components capable of transmitting information with exceptional robustness and energy efficiency.
Bidirectional 1200 V GaN switch with integrated free-wheeling diodes
Fraunhofer IAF presents a bidirectional 1200 V GaN switch with integrated free-wheeling diodes, enabling more efficient power electronics for energy generation and mobility. The switch can be used in grid-connected power converters and electric drive systems.
Investigating charge behavior in multilayer OLEDs using a laser spectroscopic technique
Scientists studied charge transport through organic light-emitting diodes using electronic sum-frequency generation spectroscopy. The study found changes in spectral signal intensities when applying voltages, indicating different internal charge flow across the organic layers.
“Petrificus totalus!” — 3D-printed hydrogel switches from kPa-Soft to GPa-hard on command
Researchers at Zhejiang University developed a novel 3D-printed hydrogel that can easily switch its Young's modulus from kPa to GPa through on-demand crystallization. The hydrogel exhibits a hardness of 86.5 Shore D and a Young's modulus of 1.2 GPa, surpassing current 3D-printed hydrogels.
Graz University of Technology team decodes heat conduction of complex materials
Researchers at Graz University of Technology developed a new understanding of how complex materials like organic semiconductors and MOFs transport thermal energy. They discovered that phonon tunneling plays a crucial role in heat conduction, enabling targeted design of materials with specific thermal properties.
Unraveling the origin of extremely bright quantum emitters
A multi-institutional research team from Osaka University has discovered the origin of extremely bright color centers at an oxide/semiconductor interface. The study reveals a correlation between the luminescence of color centers and the density of electron traps, suggesting a specific carbon-related defect as the most promising candidate.
One of late laser pioneer Gisela Eckhardt’s legacies: A new endowed physics professorship at Goethe University
Goethe University has established a new professorship in experimental physics, solid-state physicist Olena Fedchenko has been appointed to the position. The professorship was made possible by Gisela Eckhardt's €11.5 million bequest.
Rice researchers unlock new insights into tellurene, paving the way for next-gen electronics
Researchers discovered how polarons behave in tellurene as it becomes thinner, revealing changes in electrical transport and optical properties. This knowledge could inform the design of advanced technologies like more efficient electronic devices or novel sensors.
Smarter memory: next-generation RAM with reduced energy consumption
Researchers from Osaka University have developed a new technology to lower power consumption for modern memory devices, enabling an electric-field-based writing scheme. The proposed technology could provide an alternative to traditional RAM and is a promising step towards implementing practical magnetoelectric (ME)-MRAM devices.
Dynamics of structural transformation for liquid crystalline blue phases
Researchers have uncovered key insights about how liquid crystals transform between different phases using direct simulation and machine learning. This study provides a clearer understanding of the microscopic-level changes in these materials, which could lead to new possibilities for advanced materials development.
Kagome breaks the rules at record breaking temperatures
Scientists at the Paul Scherrer Institute have found a quantum phenomenon known as time-reversal symmetry breaking occurring at the surface of the Kagome superconductor RbV₃Sb₅ at temperatures up to 175 K. This discovery sets a new record for the temperature at which this phenomenon is observed among Kagome systems.
UChicago researchers unlock a ‘new synthetic frontier’ for quantum dots
Researchers at UChicago have developed a new technique to grow quantum dots using molten salt, allowing them to create previously unimaginable nanocrystals. This breakthrough opens up a whole group of novel chemical materials for future researchers' exploration.
The expansion of turbid drops in water
A team of researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has developed a new method to study the interior of crystalline drops using monochromatic illumination. This approach exploits the color-dependent scattering of light and reveals the density profile of the drop, including initial rapid expansion due to particle repulsion befo...
Feeling the heat: a new approach to controlling heat flow in crystals
Scientists have developed a method to control heat transfer in graphite crystals, enabling efficient thermal management in electronic components. The discovery uses concepts from fluid dynamics to manipulate phonons, or quasiparticles that propagate through solid-state crystals.
Discovery of orbital angular momentum monopoles enables orbital electronics with chiral materials
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have made a groundbreaking discovery in chiral materials, enabling the creation of orbital electronics. The study reveals that certain materials naturally possess orbital angular momentum monopoles, which can be harnessed for memory devices and other applications.
Orbitronics: New material property advances energy-efficient tech
Researchers have discovered chiral topological semi-metals that possess properties making them suitable for generating currents of orbital angular momentum (OAM) flows. This breakthrough paves the way for the development of energy-efficient devices in orbitronics, a potential alternative to traditional electronics.
Achieving quantum memory in the hard X-ray range
A team of researchers has demonstrated a novel way of storing and releasing X-ray pulses at the single photon level, enabling future X-ray quantum technologies. This breakthrough uses nuclear ensembles to create long-lived quantum memories with improved coherence times.
Strong driving to realize super-Bloch oscillations
An international team successfully realizes periodic oscillations and transportation for optical pulses using a synthetic temporal lattice. They observe the features of SBO collapse, including vanishing oscillation amplitude and flip of initial oscillation direction.
Wencai Liu earns 2024 IUPAP Early Career Scientist Prize in Mathematical Physics
Dr. Wencai Liu, an associate professor at Texas A&M University, has been selected for the 2024 IUPAP Early Career Scientist Prize in Mathematical Physics. His research focuses on linear and nonlinear Schrodinger equations, contributing to our understanding of quantum mechanics and its applications.