In the mysterious world of quantum materials, things don't always behave as we expect. These materials have unique properties governed by the rules of quantum mechanics, which often means that they can perform tasks in ways traditional materials cannot—like conducting electricity without loss—or having magnetic properties that may prove useful in advanced technologies.
Some quantum materials feature tiny magnetic waves called magnons running through them, which behave in puzzling ways. Understanding magnons helps us unlock secrets of how magnets work at a microscopic level, which is crucial for the next generation of electronics and computers.
Scientists have been studying how these magnons act under strong magnetic fields, and they thought they knew what to expect—until now. In a new study in Nature Communications, researchers led by Henrik Rønnow and Frédéric Mila at EPFL have unveiled a new, unexpected behavior in the quantum material strontium copper borate, SrCu2(BO3)2. The study challenges our current understanding of quantum physics but also hints at exciting possibilities for future technologies.
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