A crystal made of electrons
Researchers at ETH Zurich have succeeded in observing a crystal that consists only of electrons. Such Wigner crystals were already predicted almost ninety years ago but could only now be observed directly in a semiconductor material......»»
Theoretical research holds promise for advancing modular quantum information processing
The operation of a quantum computer relies on encoding and processing information in the form of quantum bits—defined by two states of quantum systems such as electrons and photons. Unlike binary bits used in classical computers, quantum bits can e.....»»
"Mirror" nuclei help connect nuclear theory and neutron stars
Adding or removing neutrons from an atomic nucleus leads to changes in the size of the nucleus. This in turn causes tiny changes in the energy levels of the atom's electrons, known as isotope shifts. Scientists can use precision measurements of these.....»»
Silicon plus perovskite solar reaches 34 percent efficiency
There are still longevity problems, but things continue to get better. Enlarge / Some solar panels, along with a diagram of a perovskite's crystal structure. (credit: Subhakitnibhat Kewiko) As the price of silicon panels.....»»
Researchers identify useful emission lines in the sun"s outer atmosphere
When studying the solar spectrum, researchers often search for specific emission lines: prominent wavelengths emitted by ions as their electrons transition from higher to lower energy levels. Emission spectra of two iron ions, Fe IX and Fe X, are par.....»»
First full 2-D spectral image of aurora borealis from a hyperspectral camera
Auroras are natural luminous phenomena caused by the interaction of electrons falling from the sky and the upper atmosphere. Most of the observed light consists of emission lines of neutral or ionized nitrogen and oxygen atoms and molecular emission.....»»
Researchers develop an energy efficient, reusable, and versatile catalytic system using abundant cobalt
Controlling the crystal phase of cobalt nanoparticles leads to exceptional catalytic performance in hydrogenation processes, report scientists from Tokyo Tech......»»
Layered superconductor coaxed to show unusual properties with potential for quantum computing
A team led by researchers from the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA has designed a unique material based on a conventional superconductor—that is, a substance that enables electrons to travel through it with zero resistance under certain co.....»»
Ammonia-free gallium nitride semiconductor production found to improve crystal quality, reduce environmental impact
Gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors can now be grown without ammonia, a toxic chemical that needs a sophisticated detoxifying system before it can be released into the atmosphere. The new technique is not only more environmentally friendly but also.....»»
A blue miracle in the Eifel: How sapphires formed in volcanoes
Researchers at Heidelberg University are studying the formation of this characteristically blue-colored crystal in volcanic melts.....»»
Shining light on similar crystals reveals photoreactions can differ
A rose by any other name is a rose, but what of a crystal? Osaka Metropolitan University-led researchers have found that single crystals of four anthracene derivatives with different substituents react differently when irradiated with light, perhaps.....»»
"Miracle" filter turns store-bought LEDs into spintronic devices
Traditional electronics use semiconductors to transmit data through bursts of charged carriers (electrons or holes) to convey messages in "1s" and "0s." Spintronic devices can process an order of magnitude more information by assigning binary code to.....»»
Full Offline Transcription & Crystal-Clear Audio: Why the iFLYTEK Smart Recorder is a Must-Have for Journalists
As a journalist, every minute saved transcribing interviews translates to more time chasing leads and writing stories. For years, I struggled with recorders that offered poor audio quality or cumbersome interfaces. Then I discovered the iFLYTEK Smar.....»»
Unequal access to quantum information education may limit progress—now is the time to improve
Quantum information science uses the physics that describes the smallest particles—such as electrons or photons—to potentially revolutionize computing and related technologies. This new field can be used for a wide range of applications, from dev.....»»
A new way to control the magnetic properties of rare earth elements
The special properties of rare earth magnetic materials are due to the electrons in the 4f shell. Until now, the magnetic properties of 4f electrons were considered almost impossible to control......»»
Small steps for electrons—big steps for the future? Ultrafast microscope reveals electron pathways in solar cells
In the search for more efficient and sustainable energy generation methods, a class of materials called metal halide perovskites have shown great promise. In the few years since their discovery, novel solar cells based on these materials have already.....»»
Grain boundaries weaken in planetary interiors, research suggests
Mantle convection and associated plate tectonics of planets like the Earth are governed by the deformation of mantle rocks. This deformation occurs through the motion of defects in the crystal lattices of minerals. Thus, the physical properties of th.....»»
Physicists discover a way to imprint a previously unseen geometrical form of chirality onto electrons
Have you ever placed the palm of your left hand on the back of your right hand in such a way that all fingers point in the same direction? If you have, then you probably know that your left thumb will not touch its right counterpart. Neither rotation.....»»
Hexagonal metallic-mean approximants help bridge gap between quasicrystals and modulated structures
For a long time, scientists associated crystal structures with an ordered arrangement of atoms in a repeating lattice-like pattern, believing it to be the most stable configuration. However, by the 1960s, advancements in crystallography revealed mate.....»»
Visualizing the boundary modes of the charge density wave in a topological material
Charge density waves are quantum phenomena occurring in some materials, which involve a static modulation of conduction electrons and the periodic distortion of the lattice. These waves have been observed in numerous condensed matter materials, inclu.....»»
Unlocking the potential of anti-perovskites through a convenient one-step synthesis route
Although perovskites have attracted a lot of attention lately, anti-perovskites hold just as much potential as functional materials. Bearing a similar crystal structure to perovskites but with an inverted electrical configuration, anti-perovskites ex.....»»