Scientists at the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) and their collaborators have discovered a new way to control superconductivity by twisting ultra-thin layers of material. This breakthrough could lead to more energy-efficient technologies and advancements in quantum computing. By adjusting the angle between these layers, researchers were able to precisely modify the “superconducting gap,” a key factor in how these materials behave. Their findings were published today (March 20) in Nature Physics.
The superconducting gap represents the energy needed to break apart Cooper pairs. These are pairs of electrons that enable superconductivity at low temperatures. A larger gap allows superconductivity to function at higher temperatures, making it more practical for real-world applications. Tuning this gap is also essential for optimizing Cooper pair interactions at the nanoscale, which enhances the performance of quantum devices.
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