. 24/7 Space News .
TECH SPACE
Studying quantum phenomena in magnetic systems to understand exotic states of matter
by Staff Writers
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Aug 23, 2019

We have probed the magnetic excitations of Ba2CoSi2O6Cl2 directly via inelastic neutron scattering measurements. The five observed types of magnetic excitation are dispersionless within the resolution limits, and hence triplet excitations are verified to be localized. Full size chart here

Apart from the states of matter that we are all aware of and accustomed to, which correspond to solids, liquids, and gases, more exotic states can be generated in specific materials under special conditions. Such states are of great interest to physicists because they help them gain a deeper understanding of quantum phenomena, which is key for scientists and engineers to innovate state-of-the-art technology.

Bose-Einstein condensate is one such state of matter that occurs at very low temperatures. In this state, most of the constituent particles of the condensate are in the so-called "ground state", which is the state with the lowest energy, and microscopic quantum phenomena can be easily observed.

Interestingly, this state can also be exhibited by quasiparticles, which are not actual particles but represent collective microscopic excitations in a system and can be thus used to describe the system in a simplified, yet very useful manner. Magnons, a type of quasiparticle that manifests in magnetic materials, are collective excitations originating from electrons in a crystal.

Magnons can normally hop between different locations in the crystal; however, in some compounds and under the effect of a magnetic field, they can be trapped in a kind of catch-22 situation, which results in them exhibiting rigid crystallinity. This is a very interesting quantum phenomenon called "magnon crystallization", where the magnons are said to be in a 'frustrated' state.

To explore this peculiar effect, a team of scientists led by Prof. Hidekazu Tanaka from Tokyo Tech, worked on characterizing the magnetic excitations occurring in a magnetic insulator bearing the chemical formula Ba2CoSi2O6Cl2. They performed neutron scattering experiments, in which neutron beams were fired onto Ba2CoSi2O6Cl2 crystals at different energies and angles to determine the properties of the crystals.

Based on the results of these experiments, the team demonstrated that magnon crystallization occurs in Ba2CoSi2O6Cl2 and attributed the origin of this ordered state to the fundamental electronic interactions in the material, from a quantum-mechanical perspective.

"Until recently, experimental studies on magnon crystallization have been limited to the Shastry-Sutherland compound, SrCu2(BO3)2, and this study is an attempt to investigate this fascinating quantum phenomenon in a different material," remarks Prof. Tanaka.

Understanding the ordering of magnons and their effects on the micro- and macroscopic magnetic properties of crystals could provide researchers valuable insight to correlate condensed matter physics with the principles of quantum mechanics.

"This work shows that highly frustrated quantum magnets provide playgrounds for interacting quantum particles," concludes Prof. Tanaka. As recommended by the scientists, additional studies will be needed to further understand the Ba2CoSi2O6Cl2 system and gain a deeper foothold into quantum mechanics and its potential applications.

Research paper


Related Links
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Space Technology News - Applications and Research


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


TECH SPACE
Ecuador city recycling plastic bottles for bus tickets
Guayaquil, Ecuador (AFP) Aug 22, 2019
Looking after the environment is paying off in Ecuador, at least for public transport users in the business hub of Guayaquil. A new scheme aimed at combatting garbage and pollution allows people to exchange recyclable plastic bottles for money to buy bus tickets. The port city, in Ecuador's southwest, is the second most populous city in the country with 2.7 million inhabitants, but it generates the most waste. Passengers who use the city's bus transit system, Metrovia, are now queueing at a ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

TECH SPACE
France's 42: start-up IT school tears up the rule book

India orders Russian equipment for first manned space mission

Solar sail craft could revolutionize space travel

Virgin Galactic unveils new Mission Control for space tourism

TECH SPACE
Secret Russia weapon project: gamechanger or PR stunt?

Bolton says Russia 'stole' US hypersonic technology

Chinese space startup to send heavy satellite

Vulcan Centaur rocket on schedule for first flight in 2021

TECH SPACE
Roscosmos postpones joint ESA ExoMars mission after failed parachute tests

Robotic toolkit added to NASA's Mars 2020 Rover

NASA descends on Icelandic lava field to prepare for Mars

Methane not released by wind on Mars, experts find

TECH SPACE
China launches first private rocket capable of carrying satellites

Chinese scientists say goodbye to Tiangong-2

China's space lab Tiangong 2 destroyed in controlled fall to earth

From Moon to Mars, Chinese space engineers rise to new challenges

TECH SPACE
ThinKom Solutions Unveils New Multi-Beam Reconfigurable Phased-Array Gateway Solution for Next-Generation Satellites

Embry-Riddle plans expansion of its Research Park through partnership with Space Square

OneWeb secures global spectrum further enabling global connectivity services

Companies partner to offer a complete solution for space missions as a service

TECH SPACE
Norway detects radioactive iodine near Russia

Ecuador city recycling plastic bottles for bus tickets

Radiation up to '16 times' the norm near Russia blast site

NASA awards Physical Optics Corporation additional $4M contract for Zero Gravity Optical Fibers

TECH SPACE
New "Gold Open Access" Planetary Science Journal Launched

How Many Earth-like Planets Are Around Sun-like Stars

NASA plans for Webb to zero in on TRAPPIST-1 atmospheres within a year of launch

Timeline suggests 'giant planet migration' was earlier than predicted

TECH SPACE
Young Jupiter was smacked head-on by massive newborn planet

Young Jupiter Was Smacked Head-On by Massive Newborn Planet

Hubble showcases new portrait of Jupiter

Jupiter's auroras powered by alternating current









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.