Physicists Discover New Type of Superconductivity
Physicists from the University of Washington and the US Department of Energy have made a potentially important discovery in the field of superconductivity. They have discovered a new type of superconductivity in an exotic crystalline material that can be adjusted, even completely shut down. In addition, they have achieved a record “high” temperature for a superconductor operating without electrical resistance.
The researchers, whose findings were published in the journal Science Advances, describe the synthetic crystalline “Sentwitch” made from Ferromagnetic (European) and superconducting (Iron Arsenide) materials. By adding cobalt molecules to the material, referred to as doped eufe2as2, superconductivity is demonstrated in a strong magnetic field.
One notable feature of EUFE2AS2 is the ability to switch superconductivity on and off by applying voltage. Certain voltage levels can strengthen the superconductivity to the extent that an external magnetic field is no longer required to activate the superconducting state.
However, the researchers encountered challenges during the synthesis of EUFE2AS2, noting significant differences between samples, especially during the cobalt doping stage. These difficulties highlight the complexity of monitoring the quantum processes involved in creating superconducting materials.
This discovery holds potential for significant progress in understanding and controlling superconductivity, which in turn could contribute to the development of new applications in the field of superconducting circuits for modern industrial electronics.