New Superconductor Has Three-Dimensional Charge Density

A team of international researchers have discovered a 3-D charge density wave in high-temperature superconductivity, according to a recent study. The researchers unexpectedly discovered by combining powerful magnetic field pulses along with X-ray laser pulses, which enabled them to uncover the high-temperature superconductor.

The localization of electrons forms special regular patterns known as a charge density wave (CDW), which has been a popular, but mysterious feature of high temperature superconductivities. The direct observation of CDW in very high magnetic fields was considered impossible, due to absence of high magnetic field device compatible with X-ray free electron laser.

However, these researchers created a miniature pulsed magnet that is about an inch in size and it can generate a very strong magnetic field of 30 Tesla, which was installed into the beam line of a Linac Coherent Light Source at SLAC. Tesla is the unit for measuring of the strength of the magnetic field.

The discrepancies that were found in previous experiments were removed in this new experiment and it provides a new image of how exotic materials react under extreme conditions, according to the researchers. This new development could pave the way for the development of new superconductors, which performs exceptionally well even at high temperatures.

The team involved researchers from Tohoku University, Stanford University, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and the University of British Columbia.

The findings of this study were published in the journal Science.

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