Different types of phase transitions depend on parameters such as the magnetic field. These phase transitions are especially necessary for understanding the quantum properties of materials, especially if they occur directly at the absolute zero point of temperature.
This transition is called the “quantum phase transition” or “quantum critical point”. Now, scientists from the Vienna University of Technology have discovered an unusual original shape for the quantum tipping point in new matter. Scientists are now studying the properties of this substance.
According to scientists, this substance can be called Weyl-Kondo semimetal.
Professor Silke Bühler-Paschen of the Institute for Solid State Physics at TU Vienna He said, Quantitative critical behavior is usually studied in metals or insulators. But now we see metal. The ingredients are compounds of cerium, ruthenium, and lead – with properties that lie between minerals and semiconductors. “
Wesley Foreman, PhD. A student on Professor Colin Broholme’s team at Johns Hopkins University, who made a fundamental contribution to the results through measurements of neutron scattering, said: Usually, quantitative criticality can only be established under certain environmental conditions – a certain pressure or electromagnetic field. However, surprisingly, half of our stomach turns out to be quantum critical with no external influence at all. “
“Normally, you have to work hard to produce the right laboratory conditions, but these metallic minerals themselves are of quantum critical importance.”
Buhler-Passchen said, Perhaps this surprising result is related to the fact that the behavior of electrons in this material has several special characteristics. It is a highly interconnected electron system. This means that the electrons interact strongly with each other and cannot explain their behavior by looking at the individual electrons. This interaction of electrons leads to what is called the condo effect. Here, the quantum spin in the material is protected by the electrons that surround it, so that the rotation has no effect on other materials. “
If there are relatively few free electrons, as in the case of metals, the condo effect is unstable. This may be the cause of the quantum critical behavior of matter: the system oscillates between the with and the no condominium effect, and this has a phase transition effect at zero temperature.
Silk Bowler-Passion said, “We suspect that the quantum critical importance we have observed supports the occurrence of this Weil fermion. Therefore, quantum critical fluctuations can stabilize Weil’s fermions in a similar way to critical quantum fluctuations in high-temperature superconductors that link Cooper superconducting pairs together. This is a fundamental question. It’s the subject of a lot of research around the world, and we’ve found a cool new introduction here. “
In particular, the scientists discovered that the newly discovered material closely linked specific quantum effects – critical quantum fluctuations, the condominium effect, and Weil’s fermions.
Buhler-Passchen said, “This can create a design concept where these materials can be upgraded, designed and specifically used in concrete applications.”
Journal reference:
- Wesley T. Fuhrman et al. The original quantitative criticality of the metallic material, Advances in Science (2021). DOI: 10.1126 / sciadv.abf9134
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