Physicists first observed the formation of pairs from holes in unconventional superconductors

Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics have confirmed the hypothesis of the influence of magnetic forces on

lack of resistance in high temperaturesuperconductors. They were the first to observe the formation of pairs of charge carriers (holes), which are responsible for the transfer of electric current in such materials.

For their experiment, physicists usedquantum simulator: a quantum computer that recreates physical systems. To do this, they positioned ultracold atoms in a vacuum using laser radiation in such a way that they mimic electrons in a simplified model.

The spins of the atoms were arranged with a variabledirection. Thanks to this, an antiferromagnetic structure was created, which is characteristic of many high-temperature superconductors. The scientists stabilized the material using magnetic interaction and "optimized" the model by reducing the number of atoms in the system. Thus, holes (vacancies) were formed in the atomic structure.

Physicists have used a quantum gas microscope,to observe the behavior of holes in the system. This is a device that allows you to visualize quantum effects and the smallest changes in atoms. The study confirmed that holes that came close to each other formed pairs based on magnetic interaction.

Mechanism of communication bonding in magnetically orderedsystem. The red and blue spheres are spins of opposite orientation, the shaded stripes connecting the spheres show the magnetic order. The white spheres are holes. When the hole moves, as shown in (i) and (ii), it disrupts the magnetic order. However, if the second hole is connected to the first, as in (iii), the magnetic order is maintained despite the movement of charge carriers. Image: Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics

High temperature superconductivity - zeroelectrical resistance in individual materials at a relatively high temperature - was discovered more than 40 years ago. But until now, physicists do not fully understand the quantum physical mechanisms of this process.

For charge transfer in superconductors,the formation of pairs of charge carriers - electrons or holes. In traditional superconductors operating at low temperatures, atomic lattice vibrations called phonons are responsible for this process, physicists explain, but in high-temperature superconductors such a mechanism cannot work. The new study confirms one of the possible hypotheses.

Physicists plan to refine the model in order to observe not only the formation of pairs of charge carriers, but also their movement through the crystal lattice.

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On the cover: an artistic illustration of holes connected by the magnetic properties of the system. Image: C.Hohmann, Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology