Novel material could revolutionize electronics

Physicists at the Department of Energy’s (DOE) SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have confirmed the existence of an exotic type of material that could provide dramatically faster, more efficient computer chips. Recently-predicted and now confirmed, bismuth telluride allows electrons on its surface to travel with no loss of energy at room temperatures and can be fabricated using existing semiconductor technologies.

It was previously predicted that several bismuth and antimony compounds would act as topological insulators at room-temperature. Now, the new paper confirms that prediction in bismuth telluride. Physicists Yulin Chen, Zhi-Xun Shen and colleagues recently tested the behavior of electrons in bismuth telluride and their results, appearing in Science Express, show a clear signature of what is called a topological insulator, a material that enables the free flow of electrons across its surface with no loss of energy.

The experimenters examined bismuth telluride using X-rays and saw the clear signature of a topological insulator. Not only that, the group discovered that the reality of bismuth telluride was even better than theory. “The theorists were very close,” Chen said, “but there was a quantitative difference.” The experiments showed that bismuth telluride could tolerate even higher temperatures than theorists had predicted. “This means that the material is closer to application than we thought,” Chen said.

The material’s surprising qualities are possible thanks to surprisingly well-behaved electrons. The quantum spin of each electron is aligned with the electron’s motion – a phenomenon called the quantum spin Hall effect. This alignment is a key component in creating spintronics devices, new kinds of devices that go beyond standard electronics. “When you hit something, there’s usually scattering, some possibility of bouncing back,” explained co-researcher Xiaoliang Qi. “But the quantum spin Hall effect means that you can’t reflect to exactly the reverse path.” As a consequence, electrons flow without resistance. Put a voltage on a topological insulator, and this special spin current will flow without heating the material or dissipating.

But topological insulators aren’t conventional superconductors, as they can only carry small currents; but they could pave the way for a paradigm shift in microchip development. “This could lead to new applications of spintronics, or using the electron spin to carry information,” Qi said. “Whether or not it can build better wires, I’m optimistic it can lead to new devices, transistors, and spintronics devices.”

Fortunately, bismuth telluride is fairly simple to grow and work with. “It’s a three-dimensional material, so it’s easy to fabricate with the current mature semiconductor technology. It’s also easy to dope – you can tune the properties relatively easily,” noted Chen.

Related:
Smallest Transistor Created With Graphene
Moore’s Law No More?
Getting A Handle On Spintronics
New Type Of Superconductor Emerges

Source: Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

, ,

Comments are closed.

NEW UNUSED MATERIAL  CRAFTS SEWING 5TH AVENUE DESIGNS MOON STARS SUN CELESTIAL picture

NEW UNUSED MATERIAL CRAFTS SEWING 5TH AVENUE DESIGNS MOON STARS SUN CELESTIAL

$9.99



2025 COTTON BOWL CFP SEMIFINAL GAME PROGRAM: OHIO STATE-TEXAS *BRAND NEW* picture

2025 COTTON BOWL CFP SEMIFINAL GAME PROGRAM: OHIO STATE-TEXAS *BRAND NEW*

$26.95



TATCHA Japanese Furoshiki Cloth Gift Fabric Wrap New 27” x 27” Purple Floral picture

TATCHA Japanese Furoshiki Cloth Gift Fabric Wrap New 27” x 27” Purple Floral

$9.99



NEW 2024 SNOOP DOGG 12

NEW 2024 SNOOP DOGG 12" CHRISTMAS ELF SNOOP ON THE STOOP A HOOD TRADITION

$19.76



New Official DUNKIN DONUTS Uniform Apron Adjustable Adult Small / Medium Gray picture

New Official DUNKIN DONUTS Uniform Apron Adjustable Adult Small / Medium Gray

$9.89



MAD MAGAZINE #40 OCT 2024 20 PAGES NEW MATERIAL TRUMP KAMALA JD VANCE TIM WALZ picture

MAD MAGAZINE #40 OCT 2024 20 PAGES NEW MATERIAL TRUMP KAMALA JD VANCE TIM WALZ

$15.00



Scream Ghost Face Scary Movie Wassup Spoof Face Mask SHIPS TODAY NEW picture

Scream Ghost Face Scary Movie Wassup Spoof Face Mask SHIPS TODAY NEW

$24.99



NEW Donghia Rubelli Magnolia Leaf Brown Gold Silver Upholstery Fabric BTY picture

NEW Donghia Rubelli Magnolia Leaf Brown Gold Silver Upholstery Fabric BTY

$35.00



Duralee, Kravet or other designer fabric Aqua White Zig Zag 2 yard piece  New picture

Duralee, Kravet or other designer fabric Aqua White Zig Zag 2 yard piece New

$55.00



Approx. 100 Yards of  New Camofloug Jersey Fabric on Large Roll picture

Approx. 100 Yards of New Camofloug Jersey Fabric on Large Roll

$100.00



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes