A newly published study offers new insights into the interaction of charge carriers and the different phases and adds to understanding the processes involved.

An international team led by the University of Göttingen has discovered novel quantum effects in high-precision studies of natural double-layer graphene and has them interpreted with the University of Texas at Dallas using their theoretical work, a Phys.org report specified.

The LMU in Munich and the National Institute for Materials Science in Tsukuba, Japan, were also part of this study.

The novel material graphene, a wafer-thin layer of carbon atoms, was initially detected by a British research group in 2004.

Among other unusual properties, graphene is known for its unique high electrical conductivity. If two individual graphene layers are twisted at an extremely specific angle, the system turns superconducting; for instance, it conducts electricity minus any resistance and displays other exciting quantum impacts like magnetism.

Nonetheless, the production of such twisted graphene double-layers has thus far needed increased technical initiative.

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Quantum Hydrogen on Graphene
(Photo: Wikimedia Commons/UCL Mathematical & Physical Sciences from London, UK)
Researchers have discovered novel quantum effects in high-precision studies of natural double-layer graphene.

Quantum Mechanical Impacts Observed

This novel research published in the Nature journal used the naturally occurring double-layer graphene, where no complicated fabrication is needed.

In an initial step, the sample is separated from a piece of graphite in the lab using simple adhesive tape.

The Göttingen team then used a high electric field perpendicular to the sample to observe quantum mechanical impacts. Specifically, the electronic construction of the system changes, and the charge carriers' strong accumulation with similar energy occurs.

At temperatures just above absolute zero of minus 273.15 degrees Celsius, the graphene's electrons can interact with each other, and an assortment of complex quantum phases arise unexpectedly.

For instance, the interactions are causing the electrons' spins to align, making the material magnetic minus any further external impact.

Double-Layer Graphene

By changing the electric field, the study authors can change the strength continuously of the interactions of the charge carriers in the double-layer graphene.

Under certain conditions, the electrons can be restricted too, in their freedom of movement, that they're forming their electron lattice and can no longer add to transporting charge because of their mutual repulsive interaction. The system is then electrically insulating.

According to Professor Thomas Weitz and Ph.D. student Anna Seiler from the Faculty of Physics at Göttingen University, future studies can now focus on investigating further quantum states.

They added that to access other applications, for instance, novel computer systems like quantum computers, researchers would need to find how such results could be achieved at higher temperatures.

Nonetheless, a major advantage of the present system developed in the new study lies in the simplicity of the materials fabrication ScienceDaily specified in a similar report.

Related information about quantum on graphene is shown on River Tarn's YouTube video below:

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