Advances in Superconductivity Through New Material Research
Scientists are optimistic that a new perspective on superconductivity may lead to significant progress in the field, reports Advanced Science News. Understanding this rare form of superconductivity is vital, as it may unlock applications such as functional quantum computers.
A recently created material featuring rhodium, selenium, and tellurium exhibits superconductivity at extremely low temperatures. Researchers suggest this unique behavior could arise from the excitation of quasiparticles, disturbances acting like particles. This type of behavior implies that the material could be a "topological" superconductor. Such quasiparticles may maintain stable quantum states, remaining resilient even under changes in the material or its environment.
If additional experiments affirm the topological nature of this compound, it may propel breakthroughs in various fields. These include medicine, particle physics, thermonuclear fusion, and areas where superconductivity plays a critical role.
"The study was inspired by exploring superconductivity in materials with topological properties," said Ravi Prakash Singh. He is a physics professor at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhopal, and the lead author. "Comprehending this proposed topological superconductivity is crucial for potentially developing fault-tolerant quantum computers."
Prior investigations have indicated that materials combining metallic and semiconductor properties may display exceptional conductive and magnetic behaviors, given a certain layered crystal structure. Such structures comprise one-atom-thick layers weakly bonded by electromagnetic forces, resulting in unique physical properties.
Platinum group transition metal dichalcogenides rank among the most intriguing materials in this domain. These substances demonstrate various electronic behaviors, ranging from metallic to insulating or superconducting. Their characteristics may even evolve into exotic topological superconducting states based on chemical alterations, strain, and pressure.
"Platinum-group transition metal dichalcogenides comprise two elements: a metal from the platinum group — such as platinum, palladium, or rhodium — and a non-metal from the chalcogen group, like sulfur, selenium, or tellurium," Singh stated. "These materials are captivating because they could possess topological properties, with the capacity to be tuned for distinct applications."
Although researchers have proposed and assessed various superconductors featuring diverse chemical compositions, only a few exhibit topological traits. Topological superconductors hold particular importance because of their stable superconducting states, potentially increasing the reliability of devices based on these materials. Thus, intense exploration is essential for understanding the underlying complex physics and for advancing practical technologies.
"Superconducting materials are essential as they can transport electricity without energy loss, providing efficient power transmission," Singh explained. "They can also host quasiparticles critical for future quantum technologies, such as quantum computers. Additionally, they are employed in strong magnets for MRI machines and particle accelerators."
The research team documented their findings in Advanced Quantum Technologies. They explored the superconducting properties of a platinum group transition metal dichalcogenide, replacing one chalcogen atom with selenium to modify the crystal lattice. This adjustment helped achieve the required shape—known as the 1T-phase — and the desired physical properties.
Earlier, SSP reported that a world's fastest microscope captures electron motion.