Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about quantum oscillations, a phenomenon where electrons behave like springs within a magnetic field. The research team, led by Professor Lu Li from the University of Michigan, found that these oscillations occur not just on the surface of insulating materials but also within their bulk.
Quantum oscillations are typically associated with metals and have been shown to change frequency when a magnetic field is applied. However, in this study, researchers found similar oscillations in insulators like ytterbium boride. This has raised questions about how these oscillations occur and where they originate from – at the surface or within the material’s bulk.
The team used a strong magnetic field to investigate quantum oscillations in ytterbium boride. Their experiments showed that the oscillations are indeed bulk phenomena, meaning they arise from within the material rather than just on its surface. This challenges current understanding of how insulators behave and opens up new possibilities for electronic technologies.
While the applications of this discovery are still unclear, researchers are excited about the potential to harness quantum oscillations in new materials like topological insulators, which have metallic properties at their surfaces but remain insulating in the bulk. The study’s findings provide a significant breakthrough in understanding the behavior of these exotic materials and could lead to advancements in electronic, optical, and quantum technologies.
The research team, comprising over 12 collaborators from the US and Japan, used a combination of experimental and theoretical techniques to make their discovery. Their work has sparked interest among scientists and engineers, who hope to build on this finding to explore new possibilities for materials science and technology.
Source: https://www.azoquantum.com/News.aspx?newsID=10949