New superconductor could work at higher temperatures

A team from the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland has made a breakthrough with a Kagome superconductor (RbV3Sb5) that shows time reversal symmetry (TRS) breaking at a temperature of 175 Kelvin (-98 ° C or -144.67 °F). . This record temperature indicates promising developments in quantum systems, which typically require ultralow temperatures to avoid disruptions caused by thermal energy. Researchers believe that breaking TRS at high temperatures into RbV3Sb5 could reduce the energy requirement for quantum technology, potentially accelerating its adoption.

Understanding time reversal symmetry in quantum technology

TRS implies that the fundamental laws remain the same as time flows backward in physics. However, in materials like RbV3Sb5, TRS is broken, leading to unique quantum states that are challenging but essential for the development of advanced quantum devices. These unusual states cause the material to behave differently depending on the direction of time, an attribute that can be manipulated for better control of quantum systems.

According to the study According to authors, this Kagome superconductor maintains superconductivity down to about two Kelvin, but can sustain TRS-breaking quantum states at much higher temperatures, increasing its suitability for real-world applications. PSI researchers, including Mahir Dzambegovic, highlighted the material’s charge order, in which electrons form an organized pattern and produce a magnetic effect that breaks TRS at -144.67°F.

Implications for future quantum systems

The discovery that TRS breaks down at such temperatures has significant implications for quantum computing and storage. The ability to retain these effects at higher temperatures could make quantum technologies more feasible outside laboratory settings, the PSI team said. Notably, the TRS breaking properties of RbV3Sb5 are tunable, with the effects varying based on the depth of the material, from surface to core.

It is expected that future studies will further explore the tunability of Kagome superconductors, particularly focusing on the interplay between superconductivity and TRS breaking effects in RbV3Sb5. The study, published in Nature Communications, marks a step toward practical quantum devices that can operate in more energy-efficient conditions.