The world of quantum materials is a mysterious place where things do not always behave as expected. These materials can perform tasks in ways that traditional materials cannot, such as conducting electricity without loss or having magnetic properties that may prove useful in advanced technologies. These unique properties are governed by the laws of quantum mechanics.
Certain quantum materials have minute magnetic waves, known as magnons, circulating through them. These waves exhibit peculiar behaviors. Gaining an understanding of magnons is essential for deciphering the microscopic workings of magnets, which will be important for the development of next-generation computers and electronics.
Up until recently, researchers believed they understood what to expect from the studies of these magnons’ behavior in strong magnetic fields. Researchers at EPFL, led by Henrik Rønnow and Frédéric Mila, have revealed a new and unexpected behavior in strontium copper borate (SrCu2(BO3)2), a quantum material. Although the study casts doubt on what is already known about quantum physics, it also raises intriguing possibilities for next-generation technologies.
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