The material, a layered superconductor called niobium diselenide (NbSe2), is normally a type II superconductor, which means that it expels magnetic fields when cooled below a certain temperature. However, when the team applied pressure to the material, they found that it underwent a transition to a new phase, where it suddenly expels magnetic fields even more strongly, becoming type I.5 superconductor. This transition to type 1.5 superconductivity has not previously been observed in layered superconductors and could have implications for quantum computing, the study concludes.
"We believe that this new type of superconductivity in NbSe2 is due to the presence of strong electronic correlations," said lead author Lei Zhang, a postdoctoral researcher in the University of Maryland's Department of Physics. "These correlations are usually associated with exotic phenomena, such as unconventional superconductivity and quantum magnetism. Therefore, our discovery could open up new avenues for exploring these exotic phenomena in layered superconductors and exploring potential applications in quantum computing."
Superconductivity is a phenomenon in which a material conducts electricity without losing any energy. This makes superconductors very efficient electrical conductors, and they have potential applications in a variety of technologies, including power transmission, MRI machines, and particle accelerators.
Quantum computing is a new field of computing that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to perform calculations. Quantum computers are much faster and more powerful than traditional computers, and they have the potential to revolutionize a variety of fields, including drug discovery, materials science, and financial modeling.
The team's discovery of a new type of superconductivity in NbSe2 could have implications for quantum computing because the material's strong electronic correlations could lead to the emergence of new quantum states. These states could be used to store and process quantum information, which is essential for quantum computing.
"Our discovery is exciting because it suggests that layered superconductors may be a new platform for exploring exotic phenomena and potential applications in quantum computing," said senior author Jun Zhao, a professor in the Department of Physics and the Center for Nanophysics and Advanced Materials. "We are continuing to investigate the properties of NbSe2 and other layered superconductors, and we hope to uncover new insights into the nature of superconductivity and its potential applications."
The team's research was funded by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.
