An international team of physicists reported the discovery of a new quantum state. The study found
The material is a manganese alloy,silicon and tellurium, which has the shape of octagonal cells arranged in a honeycomb pattern and folded into sheets. Within each such “plane,” electrons can move in a circle around the octahedral cell.
In the absence of a magnetic field, electrons moveboth clockwise and counterclockwise. As a result, the material acts as an insulator. The properties of the alloy change when a magnetic field is applied perpendicular to the surface of the "sheet" of honeycombs. Such an impact leads to the formation of a unidirectional "flow" of electrons and an increase in conductivity by seven orders of magnitude.
Change in the conductivity of the alloy under the influence of a magnetic field. Image: Yu Zhang et al.
The researchers also found thatSuperconductivity in this material can also be “activated” using electric current. But in this case, the process of transforming the insulator into a conductor takes from several seconds to minutes.
Change in conductivity in response to a magnetic fieldor magnetoresistance is characteristic of many materials. But the degree of change that the investigated alloy demonstrates significantly exceeds all known analogues. The researchers believe that the ability to quickly turn an insulator into a conductor using a magnetic field or slowly change its properties using an electric current will be useful when creating new devices.
Scientists will continue to explore the new quantum state and look for other materials in which it can manifest itself.
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