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New crystalline material boasts electronic properties never before seen
UPI ^ | 05-08-2019 | By Brooks Hays

Posted on 05/08/2019 10:06:07 AM PDT by Red Badger

May 8 (UPI) -- The study of a unique crystalline material, composed of aluminum and platinum atoms, has revealed a pair of electronic properties that have never been seen before.

The atoms in the new materials are crystallized in a special pattern, with each row offset from the other. The pattern creates a spiral staircase of aluminum and platinum atoms.

According to the new study, published this week in the journal Nature Physics, the material's unique crystalline structure produces Rarita-Schwinger fermions in its interior and extremely long quadruple topological Fermi arcs on its surface.

Rarita-Schwinger fermions are a type of quasiparticle first described by physicists in 1941. The phenomena describes material states that behave like actual particles.

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute used the Swiss Synchrotron Light Source SLS to directly observe the quasiparticle for the first time.

"As far as we know, we are -- simultaneously with three other research groups -- among the first to see Rarita-Schwinger fermions," PSI researcher Niels Schröter said in a news release.

Inside the aluminum-platinum crystal, a repeating pattern of atoms -- typically cube-shaped -- forms a "unit cell" of one of the two elements. In most crystals, the pattern repeats itself in all directions, forming traditional symmetries, but inside the aluminum-platinum crystal, individual atoms inside adjacent cell units are slightly offset. The arrangement forms a spiral staircase, or a helical line.

The researchers had discovered a chiral crystal. Chirality describes a pair of mirror images, like a left hand and right hand.

"We researchers find chiral materials very exciting, because mathematical models make many predictions that exotic physical phenomena can be found in them," said Vladimir Strocov, a PSI researcher.

Using the SLS X-ray and photoelectron spectroscopy at PSI, scientists were able to observe unique electronic properties. In addition to being chiral, researchers determined that the crystal is also topological.

Topological materials display exotic, defect-resistant electrical properties. Researchers realized the aluminum-platinum crystal boasts unique topological properties on the outside and the inside.

"The fact that our crystal is a topological material means that in a figurative sense, the number of holes inside the crystal is different from the number of holes outside it," Schröter said. "Therefore, at the transition between crystal and air, thus at the crystal surface, the number of holes is not well defined."

"What is clear, however, is that this is where it changes," said Schröter. "We say that a topological phase transition takes place at the crystal surface. As a result, new electronic states emerge there: topological Fermi arcs."

Fermi arcs are long flows of massless quasiparticles. Researchers suggest the novel material and its Fermi arcs, with differing exotic properties inside and out, could be used to build high-tech electronics, like quantum computers.

"It is quite clear that the Rarita-Schwinger fermions in the interior and these special Fermi arcs on the surface are connected. Both result from the fact that it is a chiral topological material," said Schröter. "We are very pleased that we were among the first to find such a material. It's not just about these two electronic properties: The discovery of topological chiral materials will open up a whole playground of new exotic phenomena."


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Education; Science; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: aluminum; chiralcrystal; chirality; crystal; electronics; fermion; fermions; material; particle; platinum; quasiparticle; tech; technology
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1 posted on 05/08/2019 10:06:07 AM PDT by Red Badger
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To: Red Badger

One step closer to Skynet.


2 posted on 05/08/2019 10:09:47 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (If White Privilege is real, why did Elizabeth Warren lie about being an Indian?)
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To: Red Badger; null and void

Transparent Aluminum?

Hello computer!


3 posted on 05/08/2019 10:10:55 AM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
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To: Red Badger

Finally, the Flux Capacitor can be a reality!


4 posted on 05/08/2019 10:11:15 AM PDT by cuban leaf
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To: ClearCase_guy

We had a big debate on our home planet 400 years ago about sharing this knowledge with you.

I was again’ it.


5 posted on 05/08/2019 10:12:02 AM PDT by cuban leaf
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To: ClearCase_guy

Or one step closer to Dilithium crystals?

Warp one Mr. Sulu (censored).

5.56mm


6 posted on 05/08/2019 10:17:16 AM PDT by M Kehoe (DRAIN THE SWAMP! BUILD THE WALL!)
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To: SaveFerris

Hello Crystalline Entity, this is Lore.


7 posted on 05/08/2019 10:17:30 AM PDT by wally_bert (Disc jockeys are as interchangeable as spark plugs.)
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To: SaveFerris
Transparent Aluminum?

Hello computer!

Not quite. I am thinking it is the beginning to Gold-Pressed Latinum!!!

8 posted on 05/08/2019 10:17:53 AM PDT by rjsimmon (The Tree of Liberty Thirsts)
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To: cuban leaf

I was for it. Let the monkeys destroy themselves. The quicker the better.


9 posted on 05/08/2019 10:18:13 AM PDT by null and void (The press is always lying. When they aren't actively lying, they are actively concealing the truth.)
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To: Red Badger

Couple of white guys. No good will come from them.


10 posted on 05/08/2019 10:18:39 AM PDT by BBQToadRibs
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To: ClearCase_guy

Yes, but can the Japanese make a cheap radio out of it?


11 posted on 05/08/2019 10:18:59 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Red Badger
...the material's unique crystalline structure produces Rarita-Schwinger fermions in its interior and extremely long quadruple topological Fermi arcs on its surface.

I was just going to say that...

12 posted on 05/08/2019 10:19:11 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: null and void

Don’t worry; Earth is already destroying itself.

Another planet sent liberals, with extra doses of moonbattery.

It rejects truth and embraces lies.

The results are guaranteed.


13 posted on 05/08/2019 10:21:53 AM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
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To: Red Badger
The Turbo Encabulator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac7G7xOG2Ag&t=12s
14 posted on 05/08/2019 10:26:26 AM PDT by Yo-Yo ( is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: Buckeye McFrog

When can I get a knock off at Harbor Freight?


15 posted on 05/08/2019 10:27:15 AM PDT by wally_bert (Disc jockeys are as interchangeable as spark plugs.)
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To: SaveFerris

https://youtu.be/DduO1fNzV4w

Transparent aluminum


16 posted on 05/08/2019 10:31:03 AM PDT by Balding_Eagle ( The Great Wall of Trump ---- 100% sealing of the border. Coming soon.)
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To: wally_bert

[When can I get a knock off at Harbor Freight?]

Give it 30 days.

Here’s a coupon for 20% off and a free flashlight...

(yeah, I’ve been there a few times)


17 posted on 05/08/2019 10:31:32 AM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
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To: Billthedrill

“...extremely long quadruple topological Fermi arcs on its surface.”

I always thought it was triple topological Fermi arcs on its surface. Man do I feel stupid.


18 posted on 05/08/2019 10:32:54 AM PDT by Ken H (2019 => The House of Representin')
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To: Red Badger

So... they finally created unubtanium?


19 posted on 05/08/2019 10:33:51 AM PDT by Brown Bag Special (Trust but VERIFY)
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To: Red Badger

I had a case of Rarita-Schwinger fermions back in my college days. But a hit of penicillin cleared it right up.


20 posted on 05/08/2019 10:38:37 AM PDT by IronJack
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