Superconductor survives ultrahigh magnetic field
Physicists from Groningen, Hong Kong and Nijmegen have discovered that transistors made of ultrathin layers molybdeendisulfide (MoS2) are not only superconducting at low temperatures but also stay superconducting in a high magnetic field. This is a unique phenomenon with exciting promises for the future. The experiments have been performed at the High Field Magnet Laboratory in Nijmegen, jointly operated by Radboud University and the FOM Foundation. Science published the results on 12 November 2015.
Superconductivity is a state in which the electrical resistance of a material disappears completely. Normally, this phenomenon only exists at low temperatures and disappears under a high magnetic field. But in the High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML), physicists discovered that MoS2 – which can be bought at the home depot as dry lubricant – remains superconducting under a high magnetic field of 37 Tesla.
Strongly pinned electron pairs
Superconductivity is induced when free electrons in a material are attracted to each other and form a weakly bonded pair. This is only possible when vibrations in the material are minimal and therefore, superconductivity only exists at low temperatures. When a material is exposed to a magnetic field, the bond between the electron pair breaks, making the superconductivity disappear.
Surprisingly, MoS2's superconducting state survives high magnetic fields because of an intrinsic high magnetic field between two paired electrons, which can reach nearly 100 Tesla and is much higher than the 37,5 Tesla provided by the HFML. For comparison: a conventional fridge magnet has a magnetic field of approximately 0,1 Tesla. Uli Zeitler, physicist at the HFML at Radboud University explains: "MoS2 behaves in a way that contradicts a law in physics, the so called Pauli paramagnetic limit. I'm very curious to see how this material will behave in new experiments. I'm sure that some totally new surprises await us there."
Information in electron spin
Although the current publication is very fundamental, Zeitler does have some ideas for future applications." There is information stored inside the charge and spin of electrons, the direction of their internal magnetic field. If you can influence this spin, for instance with an electric field, you can store information in there. And in principle, this technique could be used in the development of a future quantum computer."
Challenging experiments
The described experiments are complicated to perform. "We execute this research at very low temperatures between 0 and 12 Kelvin, about -270 degrees Celsius, and under high magnetic fields. But in order to pump enough electrons into MoS2, first we need relatively high temperatures of about -50 degrees Celsius which we have to cool off again soon after that", Zeitler explains. "The possibilities and expertise for such experiments can only be found at the HFML. That's the reason why world experts like Justin Ye and his colleagues from the University of Groningen, with whom we've worked together in this project, come to Nijmegen to do this kind of groundbreaking research."
The HFML is jointly operated by Radboud University and FOM, the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter.
Reference
Two Dimensional Ising Superconductivity in Gated MoS2, J.M. Lu, O. Zheliuk, I. Leermakers, Noah F. Q. Yuan, U. Zeitler, K.T. Law and J.T. Ye, Science.
Contact
For additional information please contact Uli Zeitler or Justin Ye