Breakthrough in Magic-Angle Graphene: Unconventional Superconductivity Confirmed
Researchers from MIT and Japan’s National Institute for Materials Science have made a significant leap in the world of materials science. They have directly observed unconventional superconductivity in magic-angle twisted tri-layer graphene (MATTG). This material forms when you stack three ultra-thin graphene sheets at just the right angle, unlocking a host of exotic electronic behaviors. Until now, scientists only saw indirect signs of this phenomenon. This new evidence provides the clearest confirmation yet.
Superconducting Gap: The Smoking Gun
Using a cutting-edge experimental platform, the team measured the superconducting gap of MATTG. This property shows how tough the superconducting state is when the material faces changes in temperature. The surprising result? MATTG’s gap looks nothing like what you’d see in traditional superconductors. This means it becomes superconductive through a wholly different, unconventional mechanism.
MIT’s Shuwen Sun, a co-lead author, explains that understanding this unique gap could help unlock the secrets to room-temperature superconductivity—a potential game changer for everything from energy grids to future tech. As Professor Pablo Jarillo-Herrero puts it, cracking the code of one unconventional superconductor might just lead to a domino effect, unlocking solutions in the rest.
The Magic of Twistronics
Back in 2018, Jarillo-Herrero and his team pioneered the experimental creation of magic-angle graphene, sparking a whole new field called twistronics. Since then, they’ve been on a roll, exploring every twist and layer you can imagine. Their latest work not only pushes the boundaries of physics but also opens doors to innovations that could one day make our sci-fi dreams—like lossless power transmission—a reality.
If you thought origami was just for paper, think again. Apparently, it’s also for stacking graphene and changing the future!
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Researchers observe unconventional superconductivity in magic-angle graphene
