Researchers have found a way to control the electronic properties of a quantum material in a stable and reversible manner. This progress opens the way to a new generation of faster, more compact and more effective electronic devices. We are talking about an improvement in a 1000 factor. Just that.
The Northeastern University team used a method called thermal caliber, combining a heating and precise cooling. This technique makes it possible to switch a material between a conductive (metallic) state and a state insulatingas needed.
The material studied, the 1t-tas, is a quantum compound well known for its electronic behaviors. By exposing it to light to temperature ambient, researchers have induced A hidden metal state, which remained stable for several months. An unprecedented result in this area. According to Gregory Fiet, professor of physics, this advance would make it possible to do without interfaces between different materials. A single material, the state of which is modulated by light or temperature, could be enough. Such simplification could deeply simplify the design of electronic components.
So far, similar attempts have come up against major obstacles: unstable states, very low temperature needs, or too short lifes. The proposed method surmounts these limits.
Published in Nature Physicsthis research opens a new field for theengineering materials and microelectronics, at a time when the limits of silicon become more and more restrictive.
How does thermal caliber work?
The thermal caliber is to heat a material, then to cool it quickly. This process modifies its internal electronic structure, making it possible to reach a desired, metallic or insulating state.
The key to success lies in the fine control of temperature and exposure time. Unlike previous approaches, this technique does not require extreme conditions, such as cryogenic temperatures.
It is also reversible: the material can go back to its initial state without deteriorating. It is this stability that makes the technique promising for concrete applications in electronics.
What is a quantum material?
A quantum material is a material whose electronic properties cannot be explained by conventional physics. It often has collective effects such as superconductivity, quantum hall effect, or state changes induced by low stimuli.
The 1t-tas₂ belongs to this category. It is sensitive to light, pressure and temperature, which makes it ideal for exploring controlled electronic transitions.
These materials are at the heart of the research on the electronics of tomorrow, quantum computers and even certain advanced storage devices. The work of the Northeastern University marks a decisive step towards their integration into concrete and accessible technologies.