Induced flaws in quantum materials could enhance superconducting
properties

Date:
October 4, 2021
Source:
University of Minnesota
Summary:
In a surprising discovery, an international team of scientists found
that deformations in quantum materials that cause imperfections
in the crystal structure can actually improve the material's
superconducting and electrical properties.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
In a surprising discovery, an international team of researchers, led by scientists in the University of Minnesota Center for Quantum Materials,
found that deformations in quantum materials that cause imperfections in
the crystal structure can actually improve the material's superconducting
and electrical properties.


==========================================================================
The groundbreaking findings could provide new insight for developing
the next generation of quantum-based computing and electronic devices.

The research just appeared in Nature Materials, a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Nature Publishing Group.

"Quantum materials have unusual magnetic and electrical properties
that, if understood and controlled, could revolutionize virtually every
aspect of society and enable highly energy-efficient electrical systems
and faster, more accurate electronic devices," said study co-author
Martin Greven, a Distinguished McKnight Professor in the University
of Minnesota's School of Physics and Astronomy and the Director of the
Center for Quantum Materials.

"The ability to tune and modify the properties of quantum materials is
pivotal to advances in both fundamental research and modern technology." Elastic deformation of materials occurs when the material is subjected to stress but returns to its original shape once the stress is removed. In contrast, plastic deformation is the non-reversible change of a
material's shape in response to an applied stress -- or, more simply,
the act of squeezing or stretching it until it loses its shape. Plastic deformation has been used by blacksmiths and engineers for thousands
of years. An example of a material with a large plastic deformation
range is wet chewing gum, which can be stretched to dozens of times its original length.

While elastic deformation has been extensively used to study and
manipulate quantum materials, the effects of plastic deformation have
not yet been explored. In fact, conventional wisdom would lead scientists
to believe that "squeezing" or "stretching" quantum materials may remove
their most intriguing properties.



==========================================================================
In this pioneering new study, the researchers used plastic deformation to create extended periodic defect structures in a prominent quantum material known as strontium titanate (SrTiO3). The defect structures induced
changes in the electrical properties and boosted superconductivity.

"We were quite surprised with the results" Greven said. "We went into this thinking that our techniques would really mess up the material. We would
have never guessed that these imperfections would actually improve the materials' superconducting properties, which means that, at low enough temperatures, it could carry electricity without any energy waste."
Greven said this study demonstrates the great promise of plastic
deformation as a tool to manipulate and create new quantum materials. It
can lead to novel electronic properties, including materials with high potential for applications in technology, he said.

Greven also said the new study highlights the power of state-of-the-art
neutron and x-ray scattering probes in deciphering the complex structures
of quantum materials and of a scientific approach that combines experiment
and theory.

"Scientists can now use these techniques and tools to study thousands
of other materials," Greven said. "I expect that we will discover all
kinds of new phenomena along the way." In addition to the University of Minnesota, the team included researchers from the University of Zagreb, Croatia; Ariel University, Israel; Peking University, Beijing, China;
Oak Ridge National Laboratory; and Argonne National Laboratory.

The research was funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Energy Office
of Science. The team used resources at the Spallation Neutron Source at
Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory, which are both U.S. Department of Energy Office of
Science facilities. The researchers also used facilities at the Minnesota
Nano Center at the University of Minnesota, which is supported by the
National Science Foundation.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Minnesota. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. S. Hameed, D. Pelc, Z. W. Anderson, A. Klein, R. J. Spieker,
L. Yue, B.

Das, J. Ramberger, M. Lukas, Y. Liu, M. J. Krogstad, R. Osborn,
Y. Li, C.

Leighton, R. M. Fernandes, M. Greven. Enhanced superconductivity and
ferroelectric quantum criticality in plastically deformed strontium
titanate. Nature Materials, 2021; DOI: 10.1038/s41563-021-01102-3 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211004115134.htm

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