| Posted: Jul 24, 2017 |
New magnetic topological semimetal could advance electronics
(Nanowerk News) A recent discovery by a team of researchers led by Tulane University advances fundamental knowledge that could one day lead to more energy-efficient computers, televisions, cell phones and other electronics.
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The researchers’ discovery of a new magnetic topological semimetal is featured in the latest edition of the prestigious journal Nature Materials ("A magnetic topological semimetal Sr1-yMn1-zSb2 (y, z < 0.1)").
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| New magnetic semimetal. (Image: Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
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The Tulane team was led by physics professor Zhiqiang Mao, the Tulane School of Science and Engineering’s Outstanding Researcher for 2017.
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Mao’s research, which focuses on quantum materials such as superconductors, magnetic materials and topological materials, was carried out in response to the need for better ways to power electronics, especially given continually shrinking transistors in iPhones and other devices. Topological semimetals represent a new quantum state of matter.
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“The recent discoveries of topological materials – a new class of quantum materials – hold great promise for use in energy saving electronics,” Mao said.
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The phrase “topological materials” refers to those materials where the current carrying electrons act as if they have no mass, similar to the properties of photons, the particles that make up light.
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“The result is expected to improve fundamental understanding of fascinating properties of topological semimetals,” Mao said.
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