Evidence of Quantum Spin Liquid Found in New Materials, Laying the Foundation for Quantum Technologies
A joint team from Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has found strong evidence of a quantum spin liquid (QSL) in a new "zinc boracite" material, with the findings published in "Nature Physics."
A quantum spin liquid is a strange state of quantum matter where the electron spins never freeze, even near absolute zero, and remain highly entangled.
The research team synthesized high-quality single crystals and used high-resolution inelastic neutron scattering to measure, directly observing the defining characteristic of this state—fractional "spinon" excitations. The experimental results closely match theoretical predictions.
This breakthrough not only provides the first QSL evidence in real materials that aligns closely with theory, marking a key milestone in confirming its existence, but also demonstrates the universality of the kagome material family as a carrier of QSL, laying an important material foundation for future development of next-generation quantum technologies such as topological quantum computing by utilizing its inherent quantum entanglement properties.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1852904782259200/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.