https://phys.org/news/2024-12-physicists-quantum-geometry.html Phys.org Topics * Week's top * Latest news * Unread news * Subscribe [ ] Science X Account [ ] [ ] [*] Remember me Sign In Click here to sign in with or Forget Password? Not a member? Sign up Learn more * Nanotechnology * Physics * Earth * Astronomy & Space * Chemistry * Biology * Other Sciences * Medical Xpress Medicine * Tech Xplore Technology [INS::INS] * * share this! * 423 * Twit * Share * Email 1. Home 2. Physics 3. Condensed Matter 1. Home 2. Physics 3. Quantum Physics * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- December 22, 2024 Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread Physicists measure quantum geometry for first time by Elizabeth Thomson, Materials Research Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Physicists measure quantum geometry for first time Strategy to measure the quantum geometric properties in condensed matter systems. Credit: Nature Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-024-02678-8 MIT physicists and colleagues have for the first time measured the geometry, or shape, of electrons in solids at the quantum level. Scientists have long known how to measure the energies and velocities of electrons in crystalline materials, but until now, those systems' quantum geometry could only be inferred theoretically, or sometimes not at all. The work, reported in the November 25 issue of Nature Physics, "opens new avenues for understanding and manipulating the quantum properties of materials," says Riccardo Comin, MIT's Class of 1947 Career Development Associate Professor of Physics and leader of the work. "We've essentially developed a blueprint for obtaining some completely new information that couldn't be obtained before," says Comin, who is also affiliated with MIT's Materials Research Laboratory and the Research Laboratory of Electronics. The work could be applied to "any kind of quantum material, not just the one we worked with," says Mingu Kang, first author of the Nature Physics paper and a Kavli Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell's Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics. Kang, MIT Ph.D. 2023, conducted the work as a graduate student at MIT. Kang was also invited to write an accompanying Research Briefing on the work, including its implications, for the November 25 issue of Nature Physics. A weird world In the weird world of quantum physics, an electron can be described as both a point in space and a wave-like shape. At the heart of the current work is a fundamental object known as a wave function that describes the latter. "You can think of it like a surface in a three-dimensional space," says Comin. [INS::INS] There are different types of wave functions, ranging from the simple to the complex. Think of a ball. That is analogous to a simple, or trivial wave function. Now picture a Mobius strip, the kind of structure explored by M.C. Escher in his art. That's analogous to a complex, or non-trivial wave function. And the quantum world is filled with materials composed of the latter. But until now, the quantum geometry of wave functions could only be inferred theoretically, or sometimes not at all. And the property is becoming more and more important as physicists find more and more quantum materials with potential applications in everything from quantum computers to advanced electronic and magnetic devices. Physicists measure quantum geometry for first time Schematics of the spin-resolved CD-ARPES set-up. Credit: Nature Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-024-02678-8 The MIT team solved the problem using a technique called angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, or ARPES. Comin, Kang, and some of the same colleagues had used the technique in other research. For example, in 2022 they reported discovering the "secret sauce" behind exotic properties of a new quantum material known as a kagome metal. That work, too, appeared in Nature Physics. In the current work, the team adapted ARPES to measure the quantum geometry of a kagome metal. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matter--daily or weekly. [ ] Subscribe Close collaborations Kang stresses that the new ability to measure the quantum geometry of materials "comes from the close cooperation between theorists and experimentalists." The COVID pandemic, too, had an impact. Kang, who is from South Korea, was based in that country during the pandemic. "That facilitated a collaboration with theorists in South Korea," says Kang, an experimentalist. The pandemic also led to an unusual opportunity for Comin. He traveled to Italy to help run the ARPES experiments at the Italian Light Source Elettra, a national laboratory. The lab was closed during the pandemic, but was starting to reopen when Comin arrived. He found himself alone, however, when Kang tested positive for COVID and couldn't join him. So he inadvertently ran the experiments himself with the support of local scientists. "As a professor, I lead projects but students and postdocs actually carry out the work. So this is basically the last study where I actually contributed to the experiments themselves," he says. More information: Mingu Kang et al, Measurements of the quantum geometric tensor in solids, Nature Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/ s41567-024-02678-8 Quantum geometry in solids measured using photo-emitted electrons, Nature Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-024-02681-z Journal information: Nature Physics Provided by Materials Research Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Citation: Physicists measure quantum geometry for first time (2024, December 22) retrieved 24 December 2024 from https://phys.org/news/ 2024-12-physicists-quantum-geometry.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Explore further Pioneering approach expands possibilities for measuring quantum geometry in solids --------------------------------------------------------------------- 425 shares * Facebook * Twitter * Email Feedback to editors * Featured * Last Comments * Popular Middle children grow up to be more honest and cooperative than only children, study suggests 7 hours ago 0 Observations detect young and energetic pulsar in a supernova remnant 9 hours ago 0 Borneo's mountains reveal a new species of orangutan-colored giant pitcher plant 11 hours ago 0 Potential-based goals may hold key to struggling college students' academic success Dec 23, 2024 0 Number of cats and dogs exposed to cocaine has increased significantly since 2019, study finds Dec 23, 2024 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------- [gif] Enhanced Raman microscopy offers clearer chemical imaging of cryofixed samples 6 hours ago [gif] AI-designed 'nanocages' mimic viral behavior for enhanced gene therapy 6 hours ago [gif] Rare fossil embryos show early Ecdysozoa development in Cambrian era 6 hours ago [gif] NASA probe makes closest ever pass by the Sun 7 hours ago [gif] Novel molecular design achieves 1,300-fold increase in scintillator radioluminescence 7 hours ago [gif] Researcher calculates Santa's speed on Christmas Eve--and this is what it would do to Rudolph's nose 7 hours ago [gif] Researchers reveal full-gray optical trap in structured light 7 hours ago [gif] Scientists discover a 'Goldilocks' zone for DNA organization, opening new doors for drug development 7 hours ago [gif] Nanovaccine derived from pre-chemotherapy tumors combats multiple tumors in mice 7 hours ago [gif] Middle children grow up to be more honest and cooperative than only children, study suggests 7 hours ago --------------------------------------------------------------------- Relevant PhysicsForums posts Direct Gibbs energy calculation from molecular dynamics 3 hours ago Calculating D-Spacings in a Monoclinic Cell Dec 20, 2024 How to calculate potential difference using Poisson's eq? Dec 18, 2024 Two-level system in a thermal bath Dec 18, 2024 Berry phase in the Brillouin zone Dec 17, 2024 Angular stability of a Fabry-Perot cavity Dec 14, 2024 More from Atomic and Condensed Matter --------------------------------------------------------------------- [INS::INS] * Related Stories [gif] Pioneering approach expands possibilities for measuring quantum geometry in solids Dec 18, 2024 [gif] Physicists discover 'secret sauce' behind exotic properties of new quantum material Jan 13, 2022 [gif] Physicists discover new way to make strange metal May 1, 2024 [gif] Researchers realize 'ideal' kagome metal electronic structure Dec 13, 2019 [gif] Discovery challenges existing theories of magnetism in kagome metals Oct 30, 2024 [gif] Physicists predict exotic form of matter with potential for quantum computing Nov 18, 2024 * Recommended for you [gif] Grapes of math: Ordinary fruit enhances performance of quantum sensors Dec 23, 2024 [gif] Machine learning speeds up prediction of materials' spectral properties Dec 23, 2024 [gif] Quantum research sheds new light on how cells communicate Dec 23, 2024 [gif] Scientists observe 'negative time' in quantum experiments Dec 21, 2024 [gif] Team presents first demonstration of quantum teleportation over busy internet cables Dec 20, 2024 [gif] Researchers take 'significant leap forward' with quantum simulation of molecular electron transfer Dec 20, 2024 Load comments (0) Let us know if there is a problem with our content Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request [-- please select one -- ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message to the editors [ ] Your email (only if you want to be contacted back) [ ] Send Feedback Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors. Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages. E-mail the story Physicists measure quantum geometry for first time Your friend's email [ ] Your email [ ] [ ] I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. Learn more Your name [ ] Note Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message [ ] Send Newsletter sign up Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties. [ ] Subscribe More information Privacy policy Donate and enjoy an ad-free experience We keep our content available to everyone. Consider supporting Science X's mission by getting a premium account. Remove ads Maybe later Medical Xpress Medical Xpress Medical research advances and health news Tech Xplore Tech Xplore The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances Science X Science X The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web Newsletters [ ] Subscribe Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletter are free features that allow you to receive your favorite sci-tech news updates in your email inbox Follow us * * * * * * * * Top * Home * Search * Mobile version * Help * FAQ * About * Contact * Science X Account * Premium Account * Archive * News wire * Android app * iOS app * RSS feeds * Push notification (c) Phys.org 2003 - 2024 powered by Science X Network Privacy policy Terms of use E-mail newsletter [ ] Subscribe Follow us * * * * It appears that you are currently using Ad Blocking software. What are the consequences? x Quantcast