from the why-does-it-matter-it-is-writing-a-book dept.
A team of physicists led by Caltech's David Hsieh has discovered an unusual form of matter—not a conventional metal, insulator, or magnet, for example, but something entirely different. This phase, characterized by an unusual ordering of electrons, offers possibilities for new electronic device functionalities and could hold the solution to a long-standing mystery in condensed matter physics having to do with high-temperature superconductivity—the ability for some materials to conduct electricity without resistance, even at "high" temperatures approaching -100 degrees Celsius.
"The discovery of this phase was completely unexpected and not based on any prior theoretical prediction," says Hsieh, an assistant professor of physics, who previously was on a team that discovered another form of matter called a topological insulator. "The whole field of electronic materials is driven by the discovery of new phases, which provide the playgrounds in which to search for new macroscopic physical properties."
(Score: 5, Informative) by VanderDecken on Friday October 30 2015, @07:00AM
TL;DR: This form of matter as seen in the experiment is a magnetic quadrupole, and difficult to detect. They were able to do so by examining shifts in harmonic frequencies of reflected light.
The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.
(Score: 2) by darkfeline on Saturday October 31 2015, @12:08AM
If only they discovered a magnetic monopole...
Join the SDF Public Access UNIX System today!
(Score: 4, Funny) by wonkey_monkey on Friday October 30 2015, @08:37AM
Physicists Uncover Novel Phase of Matter
What's it about? A proton's forbidden love for another proton, and their struggle against the forces keeping them apart?
systemd is Roko's Basilisk
(Score: 2) by Bot on Friday October 30 2015, @10:01AM
I feel unphased by such romantic development.
Account abandoned.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 30 2015, @11:36AM
The villainy is positively electric.