Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have made a significant breakthrough in the study of superconductivity by confirming that magic-angle twisted graphene (MATTG) exhibits unconventional superconductivity. This finding marks the most direct evidence yet that the material possesses unique superconducting properties, differing from traditional superconductors.
In their recent study, the team measured MATTG’s superconducting gap, a critical property that indicates the stability of a material’s superconducting state at various temperatures. The results revealed that MATTG’s superconducting gap is markedly different from that observed in conventional superconductors. This suggests that the underlying mechanism driving superconductivity in MATTG is also unconventional, potentially paving the way for future advancements in superconducting materials.
Shuwen Sun, a graduate student in MIT’s Department of Physics and co-lead author of the study, highlighted the importance of these findings, stating, “The superconducting gap gives us a clue to what kind of mechanism can lead to things like room-temperature superconductors that will eventually benefit human society.” Room-temperature superconductors could revolutionize energy transmission, magnetic levitation, and various electronic applications.
Innovative Research Techniques
The research team utilized a new experimental platform that enables them to observe the superconducting gap as superconductivity emerges in two-dimensional materials in real-time. This innovative approach allows for a deeper investigation of MATTG and the potential mapping of superconducting gaps in other two-dimensional materials. Such efforts could identify promising candidates for future technological developments.
Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics at MIT and a member of the Research Laboratory of Electronics, noted, “Understanding one unconventional superconductor very well may trigger our understanding of the rest. This understanding may guide the design of superconductors that work at room temperature.”
The journey into the study of MATTG began in 2018, when Jarillo-Herrero and his team first produced magic-angle graphene and observed some of its extraordinary properties. This pivotal discovery led to the emergence of a new field known as “twistronics,” which focuses on the exploration of atomically thin and precisely twisted materials.
Since then, Jarillo-Herrero’s group has examined various configurations of magic-angle graphene, including structures with two, three, and multiple layers, as well as stacked and twisted arrangements of other two-dimensional materials. Their ongoing research, in collaboration with other teams, has uncovered additional signatures of unconventional superconductivity in various structures.
As researchers continue to explore the complexities of MATTG, the implications of this work could extend far beyond the laboratory. The potential for developing room-temperature superconductors may lead to breakthroughs that enhance energy efficiency and create new technological advancements, benefiting society at large. The study serves as a reminder of the promising future that lies within the realm of modern materials science.
