Scientists from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) and collaborators have discovered a method to control superconductivity by adjusting the twist angle between atomically thin layers in a layered device. This technique allows precise tuning of the superconducting gap, crucial for enhancing energy efficiency and advancing quantum computing.
Their research, published in Nature Physics on March 20, 2025, utilized niobium diselenide on graphene and advanced imaging techniques to achieve this control in momentum space, a novel approach compared to traditional real-space methods. This discovery opens possibilities for developing more efficient technologies and innovative materials for quantum applications.
Controlling Superconductivity Through Twist Angles
Scientists from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) have made a significant discovery in controlling superconductivity by adjusting the twist angle between atomically thin layers in a layered device. This method offers a novel approach to tuning superconducting properties, which is crucial for advancing energy-efficient technologies and quantum computing.
The superconducting gap, an essential factor in determining how Cooper pairs behave, has been a focal point of research. Increasing this gap allows superconductivity to be sustained at higher temperatures, enhancing practical applications. The researchers demonstrated that controlling the twist angle allows precise modulation of this gap within momentum space, a departure from traditional real-space methods.
Utilizing ultrathin layers of niobium diselenide on a graphene substrate, the team employed advanced imaging techniques such as spectroscopic imaging scanning tunnelling microscopy and molecular beam epitaxy. These tools enabled them to meticulously adjust the twist angle, resulting in measurable changes in the superconducting gap.
A notable discovery was the emergence of flower-like modulation patterns within the superconducting gap, which do not align with the crystallographic axes of the materials involved. This finding highlights the unique influence of twisting on superconductivity and opens new avenues for research.
This work has two implications: in the short term, it enhances our understanding of superconducting systems and aids in designing more efficient superconductors. It could revolutionize energy-efficient technologies and quantum computing in the long term by providing a precise control mechanism over superconductivity.
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to explore integrating magnetic layers into their structure to enable both spin and momentum selectivity. This advancement could unlock new research opportunities and pave the way for innovative materials and devices, further solidifying the role of twist angle in “superconductivity control.”
Tuning Superconducting Gaps in Momentum Space
The researchers focused on tuning superconducting properties by manipulating the twist angle between atomically thin layers of niobium diselenide on a graphene substrate. This approach allowed them to precisely adjust the superconducting gap within momentum space, offering a novel method for controlling superconductivity.
A key observation was the emergence of flower-like modulation patterns within the superconducting gap, which did not align with the crystallographic axes of the materials. These patterns highlighted the unique influence of twisting on superconductivity and provided insights into the interplay between electronic states and structural distortions in twisted bilayer systems.
The ability to tune the superconducting gap through twist angle manipulation has significant implications for the development of quantum devices and energy-efficient technologies. Precise control over the superconducting gap could lead to more scalable and efficient quantum computing systems and improved performance in superconducting circuits.
Looking forward, the researchers plan to explore integrating magnetic layers into their structure, which could enable both spin and momentum selectivity. This advancement could further enhance the precision of “superconductivity control” and open new avenues for research in twisted bilayer systems.
Future Directions for Superconductor Applications
Integrating magnetic layers into twisted bilayer systems could significantly enhance the functionality of superconducting devices. This approach could enable both spin and momentum selectivity, paving the way for innovative materials and applications in quantum computing and energy-efficient technologies.
The researchers also noted that their findings on flower-like modulation patterns within the superconducting gap provide insights into the interplay between electronic states and structural distortions in twisted bilayer systems. These observations highlight the potential for optimizing material properties for specific applications.
This work could advance our understanding of superconductivity control through twist angles, leading to the development of more efficient superconductors and quantum devices, which would have implications for a wide range of technological applications.
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