MIT physicists uncover dual electron phases in erbium tritelluride
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MIT physicists have uncovered two distinct electron phases coexisting in erbium tritelluride. The findings are published in Nature Physics.
Key Facts
- Erbium tritelluride is a rare-earth material whose electrons form a wave-shaped charge density wave when cooled to specific temperatures.
- Cooling erbium tritelluride further produces a second wave pattern perpendicular to the first, forming an atomic-scale checkerboard.
- The first charge density wave phase appeared gradually across erbium tritelluride, matching conventional electronic phase transitions.
- The second phase began in isolated regions of erbium tritelluride and expanded outward, resembling ice crystals forming in liquid water.
- The study was led by Nuh Gedik, the Donner Professor of Physics at MIT, and co-led by Alfred Zong, now an assistant professor at Stanford University.
Erbium Tritelluride Experiment
MIT physicists studied erbium tritelluride, a rare-earth material with unusual electronic behavior. Under ordinary conditions, electrons are distributed relatively evenly throughout the material. Cooling the material to specific temperatures causes electrons to organize into a wave-shaped charge density wave phase. Further cooling produces a second wave pattern running perpendicular to the first, forming an atomic-scale checkerboard.
Phase Transition Behavior
The first charge density wave phase appeared gradually across the material, similar to liquid water becoming vapor. The second phase began in isolated regions that expanded outward, resembling ice crystals forming in liquid water. Nuh Gedik said the mechanism behind the second phase's emergence has long been debated. Alfred Zong said the experiment provides a neat way to study multiple coexisting phases in quantum materials.
Publication and Research Team
The findings appear in Nature Physics. The study's MIT co-authors include Yifan Su, Bai-Qing Lv, Dongsung Choi, Doron Azoury, and Masataka Mogi, along with collaborators from multiple institutions. Alfred Zong said people believe quantum materials with multiple coexisting phases are the cornerstone of replacing silicon. Gedik said the approach provides a powerful new way to uncover hidden physics behind phase transitions in quantum materials.
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MIT physicists uncover dual electron phases in erbium tritelluride
