Nano-Biotechnology

Superconductivity Presents 2D Preference

Special materials present 2D superconductivity

By Gabriel Gache, Science News Editor

14th of March 2008, 14:16 GMT

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Previously, scientists believed that the superconductive properties of a particular substance were homogeneous in all directions, but the latest study at the Brookhaven Laboratory has proven to be anything but that. In fact, two-dimensional fluctuating superconductivity in a high-temperature superconductor is determined by a special arrangement of electrical charges inside the material, commonly known as "stripes."

The study reveals that superconductivity is directional

dependent in relation to the material's electron-transport and magnetic properties. For example, at high temperatures, a particular material may express superconductivity in a 2D plane, but not in a 3D state as well.

"The results provide many insights into the interplay between the tripe order and superconductivity, which may shed light on the mechanism underlying high-temperature superconductivity," said author of the study, physicist Qiang Li at the Americal Physiccal Society meeting which took place between the 10th and 14th of March.

High-temperature superconductivity is one of the most studied topics in the field of matter physics. Understanding the mechanism which determines high-temperature superconductivity may one day lead to new methods that could enhance the superconducting temperature transition. The reason why we need high-temperature superconductors is simple; superconductors experience near zero electrical resistance, which basically means zero energy loss through electrical resistance, by subjecting the respective material to temperatures close to the normal atmospheric temperatures.

Typical superconductors usually require extreme temperatures to suffer a transition to a superconducting state, which disables the possibility of use in real life applications, such as electric transmission lines or even in Maglev transportations systems.

"As electricity demand increases, the challenge to the national electricity grid to provide reliable power will soon grow to crisis levels. Superconductors offer powerful opportunities for restoring the reliability of the power grid and increasing its capacity and efficiency by providing reactive power reserves against blackouts, and by generating and transmitting electricity," said Li.

TAGS:

superconductor | meissner effect | electricity | electric resistance | temperature

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