Graphene Breaks Fundamental Law of Physics, Challenging Decades-Old Puzzle
A team of scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has made a groundbreaking discovery that challenges a long-standing law of physics. For the first time, researchers have observed electrons in graphene behaving like a nearly perfect quantum fluid, shattering the traditional Wiedemann-Franz law.
According to Dr. Rohan Desai, lead researcher on the project, "We were able to create ultra-clean samples of graphene that allowed us to observe this extraordinary behavior." He added, "The electrons flowed like an exotic liquid, similar to quark-gluon plasma, with ultra-low viscosity."
This phenomenon occurs at the mysterious Dirac point in graphene, where electrons exhibit unique properties. The discovery has significant implications for our understanding of quantum physics and may open new avenues for studying black holes and quantum entanglement.
The Wiedemann-Franz law, established in 1853, describes the relationship between heat and charge transport in metals. However, the IISc team's findings suggest that this law does not apply to graphene at the Dirac point. This decoupling of heat and charge transport challenges our current understanding of quantum physics.
Dr. Suman Dhar, a physicist at Harvard University, commented on the significance of the discovery: "This is a major breakthrough in our understanding of quantum systems. The implications are far-reaching, and it may lead to new technologies and applications."
The research team used advanced techniques to create ultra-clean samples of graphene, which allowed them to observe this extraordinary behavior. According to Dr. Desai, "Our results demonstrate that it's possible to create a perfect quantum fluid in the lab, which has significant implications for our understanding of quantum systems."
This discovery may also have practical applications, such as improving next-generation quantum sensors and enabling more efficient energy transfer.
The IISc team's findings are published in the journal Nature Physics. The research was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Indian Institute of Science.
Background
Graphene is a highly conductive material made up of carbon atoms arranged in a two-dimensional lattice. It has unique properties, including high electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. Researchers have been studying graphene for its potential applications in electronics, energy storage, and other fields.
The Dirac point in graphene is a critical region where electrons exhibit unusual behavior. The IISc team's discovery challenges our current understanding of the Dirac point and may lead to new insights into quantum systems.
Additional Perspectives
Dr. Dhar noted that this discovery "opens up new avenues for studying black holes and quantum entanglement." He added, "The implications are far-reaching, and it may lead to new technologies and applications."
Dr. Desai emphasized the significance of the discovery: "This is a major breakthrough in our understanding of quantum systems. The implications are significant, and it may lead to new technologies and applications."
Current Status and Next Developments
The IISc team's findings have sparked interest among researchers worldwide. Dr. Dhar noted that "this discovery will likely lead to further research and exploration of the properties of graphene." He added, "We can expect to see new experiments and studies on this phenomenon in the coming years."
The IISc team is planning to continue their research, exploring the implications of their findings and developing new technologies based on this discovery.
*Reporting by Sciencedaily.*
