Illustration

2d superconductivity puddles

Illustration of a 2D superconducting state emerging in a 3D superconductor

SLAC and Stanford scientists observed puddles of 2D superconducting behavior emerging from a 3D unconventional superconductor, which conducts electricity with 100% efficiency at unusually high temperatures. Their study suggests that this so-called "emergent" behavior may be how 3D superconductors reorganize themselves just before undergoing an abrupt shift into an insulating state, where electrons are confined to their home atoms and can’t move around at all.

Greg Stewart/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

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It’s an example of how surprising properties can spontaneously emerge in complex materials – a phenomenon scientists hope to harness for novel technologies.

Illustration of a 2D superconducting state emerging in a 3D superconductor