Superconductivity

Researchers develop new superconductor material that could benefit quantum computing

Researchers from the University of California - Riverside, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Rigaku Americas have developed a new superconductor material that could potentially be used in quantum computing and be a candidate 'topological superconductor.'

A topological superconductor uses a delocalized state of an electron or hole (a hole behaves like an electron with positive charge) to carry quantum information and process data in a robust manner. The researchers reported in their recent work that they combined trigonal tellurium with a surface state superconductor generated at the surface of a thin film of gold. Trigonal tellurium is a chiral material, which means it cannot be superimposed on its mirror image, like our left and right hands. Trigonal tellurium is also non-magnetic. Nonetheless, the researchers observed quantum states at the interface that host well-defined spin polarization. The spin polarization allows the excitations to be potentially used for creating a spin quantum bit -- or qubit.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 25,2024

Researchers observe and control spin waves in magnets with superconductors

Scientists at Delft University of Technology have used superconducting diamagnetism to shape the magnetic environment governing the transport of spin waves—collective spin excitations in magnets that are promising on-chip signal carriers—in a thin-film magnet. 

The team has shown that it’s possible to control and manipulate spin waves on a chip using superconductors for the first time. These tiny waves in magnets may offer an alternative to electronics in the future, interesting for energy-efficient information technology or connecting pieces in a quantum computer, for example. The results of this work give scientists new insight into the interaction between magnets and superconductors.

Read the full story Posted: Oct 28,2023

Researchers detect pair density wave state in UTe2

Scientists at Cornell University, Washington University in St. Louis and University of Maryland have revealed a new phase of matter in candidate topological superconductors that could have significant consequences for condensed matter physics and for the field of quantum computing and spintronics.

The researchers discovered and visualized a crystalline yet superconducting state in a new and unusual superconductor, Uranium Ditelluride (UTe2), using one of the world’s most powerful millikelvin Scanned Josephson Tunnelling Microscopes (SJTM). This “spin-triplet electron-pair crystal” is a previously unknown state of topological quantum matter.

Read the full story Posted: Jul 10,2023

Researchers design a system that demonstrates unusually long-range Josephson coupling across a half-metallic ferromagnet

An international team has, for the first time, designed a material system that exhibits an unusually long-range Josephson effect. Regions of superconducting YBa2Cu3O7 are separated by a region of half-metallic, ferromagnetic manganite (La2/3Sr1/3MnO3) one micron wide.

When two superconducting regions are separated by a strip of non-superconducting material, a special quantum effect can occur, coupling both regions. This is known as the Josephson effect. If the spacer material is a half-metal ferromagnet, it can open up new potential applications for novel spintronic applications.

Read the full story Posted: Dec 05,2021

Researchers launch new paradigm in magnetism and superconductivity

An international team of scientists from Austria and Germany has launched a new paradigm in magnetism and superconductivity, highlighting the effects of curvature, topology, and 3D geometry.

In modern magnetism, superconductivity and spintronics, extending nanostructures into the third dimension has become a major research avenue because of geometry-, curvature- and topology-induced phenomena. This approach provides a means to improve this and to launch novel functionalities by tailoring the curvature and 3D shape.

Read the full story Posted: Nov 04,2021

The University of Konstanz to establish a superconducting spintronics research hub

The Sofja Kovalevskaja Award, Germany's most highly-endowned research award for early-research scientists, went this year to Dr Angelo Di Bernardo from Cambridge University. Dr. Angelo was awarded with 1.65 million Euros and will move to the University of Konstant in which he will establish a research hub in the field of superconducting spintronics.

Dr. Angelo's project that won the award is dealing with superconducting spintronics with oxides and 2D materials.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 22,2019

Superconductivity may be key to more efficient spintronic devices

Researchers from the Lomonosov Moscow State University together with British scientists discovered that superconductivity is able to promote magnetization in certain conditions. Using this effect may lead to faster spintronic devices.

Directed electron spin photo

The researchers say that superconducting spintronic devices will demand far less energy and emit less heat compared to current devices. The superconductors may be useful in the process of spin transportation while ferromagnetics may be used to control spins.

Read the full story Posted: Oct 08,2015

Superconductive spintronics devices may enable zero power computing

Researchers from Cambridge showed that superconductors could be used as an energy-efficient source for spintronics devices - this was not believed to be possible by most researchers. Superconducting spintronics devices may enable powerful circuits that consumer very little power (in fact superconductors offer 100% energy efficiency).

The researchers showed that electrons spin can be detected and manipulated in the current flowing from a superconductor. They achieved that feat by adding an intervening magnetic layer (made from Holmium) to the superconductor. This layer allowed them to manipulate the electrons spin.

Read the full story Posted: Jan 17,2014