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Making the strange metal state in high temperature superconductors even stranger by Staff Writers Gothenburg, Sweden (SPX) Oct 28, 2021
Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have uncovered a striking new behavior of the 'strange metal' state of high temperature superconductors. The discovery represents an important piece of the puzzle for understanding these materials, and the findings have been published in the highly prestigious journal Science. Superconductivity, where an electric current is transported without any losses, holds enormous potential for green technologies. For example, if it could be made to work at high enough temperatures, it could allow for lossless transport of renewable energy over great distances. Investigating this phenomenon is the aim of the research field of high temperature superconductivity. The current record stands at -130 degrees celsius, which might not seem like a high temperature, but it is when compared to standard superconductors which only work below -230 degrees celsius. While standard superconductivity is well understood, several aspects of high temperature superconductivity are still a puzzle to be solved. The newly published research focusses on the least understood property - the so called 'strange metal' state, appearing at temperatures higher than those that allow for superconductivity. "This 'strange metal' state is aptly named. The materials really behave in a very unusual way, and it is something of a mystery among researchers. Our work now offers a new understanding of the phenomenon. Through novel experiments, we have learned crucial new information about how the strange metal state works" says Floriana Lombardi, Professor at the Quantum Device Physics Laboratory at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience at Chalmers.
Believed to be based on quantum entanglement "Such a simple behavior begs for a simple explanation based on a powerful principle, and for this type of quantum materials the principle is believed to be quantum entanglement." says Ulf Gran, Professor at the Division of Subatomic, High-Energy and Plasma Physics at the Department of Physics at Chalmers. "Quantum entanglement is what Einstein called 'spooky action at a distance' and represents a way for electrons to interact which has no counterpart in classical physics. To explain the counterintuitive properties of the strange metal state, all particles need to be entangled with each other, leading to a soup of electrons in which individual particles cannot be discerned, and which constitutes a radically novel form of matter."
Exploring the connection with charge density waves "The highest temperatures for the superconducting transition have been observed when the strange metal phase is more pronounced. Understanding this new phase of matter is therefore of utmost importance for being able to construct new materials that exhibit superconductivity at even higher temperatures," explains Floriana Lombardi. The researchers' work indicates a close connection between the emergence of charge density waves and the breaking of the strange metal state - a potentially vital clue to understand the latter phenomenon, and which might represent one of the most striking evidence of quantum mechanical principles at the macro scale. The results also suggest a promising new avenue of research, using strain control to manipulate quantum materials.
Research Report: "Restored strange metal phase through suppression of charge density waves in underdoped YBa2Cu3O7-d"
EU avoiding 'rash decisions' on energy price rises Luxembourg (AFP) Oct 26, 2021 The impact of surging gas and electricity prices globally threatens the EU's energy market, but the bloc will not react hastily, officials said on Tuesday. An emergency meeting of EU ministers in Luxembourg to discuss the issue largely backed 11 member countries in rejecting proposals from Spain and France for deep-rooted reforms to the market. The ministers recognised the price hikes "jeopardised the integrity of the European energy market," the chair of the meeting, Slovenian infrastructure mi ... read more
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