A research team led by physicist Philip Kim of Harvard University recently achieved a major breakthrough in the field of superconductors. They demonstrated an innovative method to successfully create and manipulate a widely studied high-temperature superconductor: copper oxide (BSCCO). This research not only opens the door to engineering new superconducting materials, but also has the potential for applications in areas that were previously inaccessible.
In the study, published in the journal Science, Kim’s team used a unique low-temperature device fabrication method to successfully create what promises to be the world’s first high-temperature superconducting diode. The device is made from BSCCO, a thin crystal that is considered a high-temperature superconductor because it starts superconducting at about -178 degrees Celsius, which is surprisingly high for practical applications.
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In the experiment, the team first split BSCCO into two extremely thin layers of crystals, then stacked them at a 45-degree angle at -90 degrees Celsius to form a structure like an ice cream sandwich. In the process, they discovered that the maximum supercurrent that can pass through the interface without resistance depends on the direction of the current, thus creating a switchable high-temperature superconducting diode.
Relatively high temperature tendency-like sandwich stacking method
Depicted in the figure is a special material called BSCCO that exhibits resistanceless superconducting properties under specific low-temperature conditions. Through sophisticated layering technology, scientists can control its electronic structure and explore novel physical behaviors of superconducting materials. (Photo/”Science”) Advertisement (Please continue reading this article)
This discovery is not only of great significance to the field of superconductor research, but also has a profound impact on emerging industries such as quantum computing. Scientists believe that this research opens a new way to explore novel superconducting materials and will help to further understand and utilize these magical materials. Kim’s team’s research not only demonstrates new possibilities for superconductor technology, but also opens new perspectives for future scientific research and applications, especially in quantum computing and other fields that require precise control of electric current.
The highlight of this work is its ability to achieve superconductivity at relatively high temperatures, which was thought to be impossible in the past. BSCCO’s high-temperature superconducting properties make it highly potential in applications because it does not need to operate at extremely low temperatures like traditional superconductors. In addition, the discovery of this new type of superconducting diode may provide more efficient and stable energy solutions for future electronic devices.
The Harvard team’s research opens a whole new field of research, providing deeper insights into the complexity and potential of superconductors. As this technology develops further, we can expect this material to play its revolutionary role in numerous fields in the near future. The research is published in the latest issue of Science.
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First picture source: Lucy Yip cc By4.0
Image Source:Science cc By4.0
Reference papers:
1.Time-reversal symmetry breaking superconductivity between twisted cuprate superconductorsScience
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