Researchers from Rutgers University have discovered a new way in which matter can exist. Dubbed a “Quantum Liquid Crystal,” this previously unknown quantum state expands researchers’ understanding of how matter can exist beyond the three traditional states.
Most people know the three basic states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Most then learn of a fourth: plasma. What the average person doesn’t know is outside of these basic states of matter, there are tens of other states that don’t quite fit any of the criteria for the main four. One of these states is the newly found quantum liquid crystal.
Published in Science Advances on June 13, the new quantum state was observed when researchers were studying the effects between two exotic materials: Weyl semimetal and spin ice. The latter, a substance that contains Weyl fermions that cause energy to travel it with no energy loss. The former, a crystal that has had its magnetic field suspended in place.
Taking these two materials, the scientists created a layered structure called a heterostructure. This was then shot with an immensely powerful magnetic field. The magnetic field caused the electronic properties of the Weyl semimetal, which were already affected by the magnetic spin ice, and created a phenomenon known as electronic anisotropy.
Electronic anisotropy is a phenomenon that involves a material that will conduct electricity in different ways depending on direction. In the Rutgers experiment, the researchers discovered that when they increased the strength of the magnetic field, the electrons in the Weyl semimetal started flowing in two directions opposite to each other.
These results are consistent with another phenomenon in quantum physics called rotational symmetry breaking. This occurrence has been used to discover and identify new quantum states of matter that are occurring under intense magnetic fields.
This experiment’s outcomes are still being realized. With new knowledge of quantum states of matter, researchers have begun to discover more ways to control a material’s atomic and quantum properties. Specific to this experiment, the knowledge uncovered could be used to detect magnetic fields in dangerous and hostile environments.
This paper and subsequent discovery is the result of over two years of research, experimentation, and observation. While the team was led by Rutgers’ scientists, the majority of the experiment was conducted at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida. In their research and experimentation, scientists used many high performing computer models to assist with the vast calculations needed to formulate the results.
Rutgers doctoral student, Tsung-Chi Wu, is credited with conducting the experiment along with Jak Chakhalian and Michael Terilli. All three are credited as authors of the published paper along with ten other researchers.
