MIT physicists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of materials science, finding that electrons can form crystalline structures in an ultrathin material called rhombohedral graphene when cooled to an ultra-low temperature.
MIT physicists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of materials science. They have found that electrons can form crystalline structures in an ultrathin material called ‘rhombohedral graphene.’ This phenomenon was observed when the material was cooled to an ultra-low temperature, similar to that of outer space.
Electron crystals are a type of exotic matter that consists of electrons arranged in a crystalline structure.
This phenomenon was first observed in 2019 by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, who used advanced microscopy techniques to visualize the electron crystal lattice.
Electron crystals exhibit unique properties, such as zero electrical resistance and high thermal conductivity.
They have potential applications in fields like quantum computing and nanotechnology.
Studies on electron crystals continue to advance our understanding of this novel state of matter.
The team, led by Long Ju, an assistant professor in the MIT Department of Physics, used custom-made filters to cool their devices to a temperature an order of magnitude colder than they achieved in earlier experiments. By doing so, they were able to observe the formation of crystalline structures in the material.
A Family of Materials with Exotic Properties
The discovery is significant because it reveals that there is a family of materials where electrons can exhibit this kind of behavior. The team observed all of these phenomena using two slightly different versions of the material, one composed of five layers of atomically thin carbon and the other composed of four layers.
Electrons are subatomic particles that orbit the nucleus of an atom.
Their behavior is governed by quantum mechanics, which dictates their motion and energy levels.
Electrons can occupy specific energy levels or shells around the nucleus, with each shell having a maximum capacity for electrons.
The arrangement of electrons in an atom determines its chemical properties and reactivity.
In metals, electrons are delocalized, allowing them to move freely within the material.
New Electronic States Discovered
In addition to observing the formation of crystalline structures, the team also discovered two new electronic states in the material. These states are known as ‘fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect’ and ‘integer quantum anomalous Hall effect.’ The fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect is a phenomenon where electrons split into fractions of themselves, while the integer quantum anomalous Hall effect is a state where electrons form a solid-like phase.
Electronic states refer to the unique energy levels that electrons can occupy in an atom.
These states are determined by the combination of electron configuration and spin.
There are three main types of electronic states: ground state, excited state, and ionized state.
Ground state is the most stable state where electrons are at their lowest energy level.
Excited state occurs when electrons absorb energy and move to a higher energy level.
Ionized state occurs when an electron is removed from the atom.
A Rich Material with Exotic Phenomena
The discovery of these new electronic states adds to the growing list of exotic phenomena exhibited by rhombohedral graphene. The material has been found to have a wide range of properties, including the ability to conduct electricity and heat at high speeds.
According to Long Ju, ‘We’ve just added more flavor to this already very interesting material.’ The discovery is expected to open up new avenues for research in materials science and may lead to the development of new technologies.
A New Era in Materials Science
The discovery of crystalline structures in rhombohedral graphene marks a new era in materials science. It has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of electronic properties and may lead to breakthroughs in fields such as electronics, energy storage, and quantum computing.
As researchers continue to explore the properties of this material, it is clear that the future holds much promise for the development of new technologies and innovations.
