Scientists achieve time reversal symmetry thanks to Kagome’s superconductor

A team from the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland has achieved a breakthrough with a Kagome superconductor (RbV3Sb5) that demonstrates time reversal symmetry (TRS) breaking at a temperature of 175 Kelvin (-98°C). or -144.67°F). This record temperature suggests promising developments in quantum systems, which typically require ultra-low temperatures to avoid disruptions caused by thermal energy. The researchers believe that breaking the TRS at high temperatures in RbV3Sb5 can reduce the energy requirements of quantum technology, potentially accelerating its adoption.

Understanding Time Reversal Symmetry in Quantum Technology

TRS implies that the fundamental laws remain the same when time runs backwards in physics. However, in materials like RbV3Sb5, the TRS is broken, leading to unique quantum states that are difficult but essential for the development of advanced quantum devices. These unusual states cause the material to behave differently depending on the direction of time, an attribute that can be manipulated for increased control of quantum systems.

According to the study According to the authors, this Kagome superconductor maintains superconductivity up to about two Kelvin, but can support TRS-breaking quantum states at much higher temperatures, improving its suitability for real-world applications. PSI researchers, including Mahir Dzambegovic, have demonstrated the material’s charge order, in which electrons form an organized pattern, producing a magnetic effect that breaks the TRS at -144.67°F.

Implications for future quantum systems

The discovery of TRS breakdown at such temperatures presents significant implications for quantum computing and storage. According to the PSI team, the ability to sustain these effects at higher temperatures could make quantum technologies more feasible outside the laboratory. Notably, the TRS fracture properties of RbV3Sb5 are tunable, with effects varying depending on the depth of the material, from surface to core.

Future studies should further explore the tunability of Kagome superconductors, particularly focusing on the interplay between superconductivity and TRS breakdown effects in RbV3Sb5. The study, published in Nature Communications, marks a step toward realizing practical quantum devices capable of operating under more energy-efficient conditions.