Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have confirmed the existence of unconventional superconductivity in magic-angle twisted graphene (MATTG). This groundbreaking discovery sheds light on the unique electronic properties of the material, providing the most direct evidence yet of its superconducting behavior. The findings could pave the way for advancements in materials that exhibit superconductivity at room temperatures.
In a significant advancement, the MIT team successfully measured MATTG’s superconducting gap, a crucial property that indicates the resilience of a material’s superconducting state at various temperatures. The gap observed in MATTG differs markedly from that found in traditional superconductors, suggesting that the underlying mechanisms responsible for superconductivity in this material are unconventional and distinct.
Shuwen Sun, a graduate student in MIT’s Department of Physics and co-lead author of the study, emphasized the importance of understanding these mechanisms. “There are many different mechanisms that can lead to superconductivity in materials,” she stated. “The superconducting gap gives us a clue to what kind of mechanism can lead to things like room-temperature superconductors that will eventually benefit human society.”
The researchers utilized a novel experimental platform that enables real-time observation of the superconducting gap as it emerges in two-dimensional materials. This innovative approach allows them to closely examine MATTG and potentially identify other two-dimensional materials with promising superconducting properties.
Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics at MIT and a member of the Research Laboratory of Electronics, remarked, “Understanding one unconventional superconductor very well may trigger our understanding of the rest. This understanding may guide the design of superconductors that work at room temperature.”
The study builds on previous research from 2018, when Jarillo-Herrero and his colleagues first produced magic-angle graphene and observed its remarkable properties. This initial discovery led to the emergence of a new field known as “twistronics,” which explores the behaviors of atomically thin materials that are precisely twisted. Since then, Jarillo-Herrero’s group has investigated various configurations of magic-angle graphene, including multi-layered structures and combinations with other two-dimensional materials.
With this latest discovery, the researchers aim to further explore the potential of MATTG and other two-dimensional materials, which could revolutionize technology and materials science. By mapping the superconducting gap in these materials, they hope to uncover candidates that might lead to practical applications in the future.
The implications of this research are profound, as advancements in superconducting materials could enhance energy efficiency, enable faster computing technologies, and contribute to significant breakthroughs in various fields. As research continues, the scientific community eagerly anticipates the next steps in understanding and harnessing the unique properties of unconventional superconductors.
