A group of theoretical physicists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a remarkable new understanding of superconductivity. They took this phenomenal discovery by storm with their research on magic-angle twisted graphene (MATTG). Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics at MIT, directs the research team. They have presented compelling evidence that characterizes MATTG as an exotic superconductor. What this exceptional research can do is catalyze truly amazing progress in the next generation of technologies. We might witness breakthroughs such as energy efficient power grids or helpful quantum computing.
Shuwen Sun, a graduate student in MIT’s Department of Physics, who co-led the research. She was joined by Jeong Min Park, who was a fellow co-lead author on the project. National Institute for Materials Science, Japan Kenji Watanabe and Takashi Taniguchi were instrumental in this collaborative effort. Their fundamental contributions furthered the study’s interdisciplinary approach to unraveling the mysteries of superconductivity in two-dimensional materials.
Understanding MATTG and Its Superconducting Properties
Magic-angle twisted graphene is a novel material that exhibits an exotic phenomenon known as superconductivity when electricity can flow through a material without resistance. Through this process, the team learned about MATTG’s unique strengths. In their study, they specifically drilled down on its superconducting gap, which emerges when the material enters a zero-resistance state. This groundbreaking work is key to understanding how superconductors work and realizing their vast potential applications.
The researchers turned their attention to the superconducting gap itself. They used a novel experimental platform that allows direct, time-resolved imaging of superconductivity as it emerges in low-dimensional materials. This daring new route takes research on superconductors to a new level. It provides information that researchers have long struggled to access.
The researchers achieved a major advance by combining tunneling and transport measurements on the same device. This clever technique enabled them to directly pinpoint the superconducting tunneling gap in MATTG. This technique allows more accurate measurements than ever before. In addition, it sheds light on what makes this unconventional material superconduct.
Implications for Future Technologies
These discoveries from this study indicate exciting potential for the future of superconductors. In fact, they explicitly praise strong developments in their target operating temperatures. As it stands, all of the superconductors we know undergo the transition at temperatures so low that no practical application is possible. Evidence from MATTG suggests a bright potential. If we’re lucky enough to discover new materials, they will be ones that can show this phenomenon at higher, room-like temperatures.
If scientists are able to find and produce commercially viable room-temperature superconductors, the potential benefit would be staggering across industries. Possible end-uses, from zero-energy-loss power cables to hyper-efficient electricity grids, have the potential to drastically cut energy use overall and with it, costs. At the same time, practical quantum computing systems might be within reach, unlocking new capabilities for computing power and data processing.
Ongoing Research and Future Directions
Jarillo-Herrero’s research group has a storied background in probing magic-angle graphene. So far, they’ve analyzed structures with two, three and several layers. In the process, they deeply investigate stacked and twisted configurations of diverse two-dimensional materials. This dedication is a testament to their passion for continuing to improve the field of superconductivity.
Going ahead, the team will be making active use of their experimental platform. Their goal is to use MATTG to theoretically and systematically map its superconducting gap. They’re now pushing their investigations into additional 2D materials. Their aim is to discover new candidates that can exhibit at least the same or better superconducting properties.