Insulators are materials in which electrons cannot move freely. Past theoretical studies predicted the existence of an unusual insulating state dubbed obstructed atomic insulator (OAI), in which ...

To study the interactions between electrons in a material, physicists have come up with a number of tricks over the years. These interactions are interesting, among other things, because they lead to ...

Researchers at Okayama University used high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction to detect tiny lattice distortions (about 100 parts per million) emerging as the topological superconductor Cu x ...

Strain engineering, which involves deliberately stretching or compressing a crystal lattice, is used to boost the speed of electron flow in a device. Even a fraction of percent change in lattice ...

Unexpected atomic reversal: Researchers saw atoms in a crystal switch rotational direction during angular momentum transfer, a first in experimental physics. Terahertz laser control: Intense terahertz ...

To study the interactions between electrons in a material, physicists have come up with a number of tricks over the years. These interactions are interesting, amongst other things, because they lead ...

To overcome global energy challenges and fight the looming environmental crisis, researchers around the world investigate new materials for converting sunlight into electricity. Some of the most ...

Historic first: Researchers observed atomic vibrations reverse rotation during angular momentum transfer in a crystal lattice for the first time. Laser-driven control: Intense terahertz pulses ...

A new UC Davis study shows that halide perovskite crystals reversibly change shape when hit with laser light. As perovskites are also semiconductors, this opens the possibility of new types of ...