Nanotechnology Now

Our NanoNews Digest Sponsors
Heifer International



Home > News > Going eight separate ways

February 11th, 2010

Going eight separate ways

Abstract:
Symmetry is at the heart of all physics. Predicting the behavior of a material by studying underlying symmetries is one of the oldest and most powerful theoretical techniques, with quite impressive consequences: the symmetry of time invariance gives rise to energy conservation while rotational symmetry underlies the conservation of angular momentum. What then if symmetry is broken? Broken symmetry often hints at exciting new phenomena such as the emergence of the Higgs boson in particle physics, or ferromagnetism in condensed matter physics.

Very recently, two experimental groups—Yue Zhao, Paul Cadden-Zimansky, Zhigang Jiang, and Philip Kim at Columbia University in the US, reporting in the current issue of Physical Review Letters [1], and Harvard's Benjamin Feldman, Jens Martin, and Amir Yacoby, also in the US [2]—have reported on the eightfold symmetry-breaking of the zero-energy Landau level in bilayer graphene systems (Fig. 1). The Columbia experiment used the typical setup of bilayer graphene on a SiO2 substrate [3] and found that the unusual zero-energy quantum Hall octet, while intact at lower magnetic fields, splits up completely into eight separate Landau levels when exposed to 35 T (generated at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Florida, and close to the limit of what is currently possible for man-made static magnetic fields). The Harvard group used "suspended graphene," an otherwise identical system, but where additional processing is used to remove the supporting SiO2 substrate [4]. They report that the same symmetry breaking occurs at the more moderate magnetic field of about 3 T.

Source:
The American Physical Society

Bookmark:
Delicious Digg Newsvine Google Yahoo Reddit Magnoliacom Furl Facebook

Related News Press

News and information

New class of protein misfolding simulated in high definition: Evidence for recently identified and long-lasting type of protein misfolding bolstered by atomic-scale simulations and new experiments August 8th, 2025

Sensors innovations for smart lithium-based batteries: advancements, opportunities, and potential challenges August 8th, 2025

Deciphering local microstrain-induced optimization of asymmetric Fe single atomic sites for efficient oxygen reduction August 8th, 2025

Lab to industry: InSe wafer-scale breakthrough for future electronics August 8th, 2025

Physics

INRS and ELI deepen strategic partnership to train the next generation in laser science:PhD students will benefit from international mobility and privileged access to cutting-edge infrastructure June 6th, 2025

Quantum computers simulate fundamental physics: shedding light on the building blocks of nature June 6th, 2025

A 1960s idea inspires NBI researchers to study hitherto inaccessible quantum states June 6th, 2025

Magnetism in new exotic material opens the way for robust quantum computers June 4th, 2025

Materials/Metamaterials/Magnetoresistance

First real-time observation of two-dimensional melting process: Researchers at Mainz University unveil new insights into magnetic vortex structures August 8th, 2025

Researchers unveil a groundbreaking clay-based solution to capture carbon dioxide and combat climate change June 6th, 2025

A 1960s idea inspires NBI researchers to study hitherto inaccessible quantum states June 6th, 2025

Institute for Nanoscience hosts annual proposal planning meeting May 16th, 2025

Announcements

Sensors innovations for smart lithium-based batteries: advancements, opportunities, and potential challenges August 8th, 2025

Deciphering local microstrain-induced optimization of asymmetric Fe single atomic sites for efficient oxygen reduction August 8th, 2025

Japan launches fully domestically produced quantum computer: Expo visitors to experience quantum computing firsthand August 8th, 2025

ICFO researchers overcome long-standing bottleneck in single photon detection with twisted 2D materials August 8th, 2025

Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals/White papers/Posters

New molecular technology targets tumors and simultaneously silences two ‘undruggable’ cancer genes August 8th, 2025

Simple algorithm paired with standard imaging tool could predict failure in lithium metal batteries August 8th, 2025

First real-time observation of two-dimensional melting process: Researchers at Mainz University unveil new insights into magnetic vortex structures August 8th, 2025

Lab to industry: InSe wafer-scale breakthrough for future electronics August 8th, 2025

Quantum nanoscience

ICFO researchers overcome long-standing bottleneck in single photon detection with twisted 2D materials August 8th, 2025

A new study provides insights into cleaning up noise in quantum entanglement:When it comes to purifying quantum entanglement, new theoretical work highlights the importance of tailoring noise-minimizing solutions to specific quantum systems May 16th, 2025

Superconductors: Amazingly orderly disorder: A surprising effect was discovered through a collaborative effort by researchers from TU Wien and institutions in Croatia, France, Poland, Singapore, Switzerland, and the US during the investigation of a special material: the atoms are May 14th, 2025

Programmable electron-induced color router array May 14th, 2025

NanoNews-Digest
The latest news from around the world, FREE




  Premium Products
NanoNews-Custom
Only the news you want to read!
 Learn More
NanoStrategies
Full-service, expert consulting
 Learn More











ASP
Nanotechnology Now Featured Books




NNN

The Hunger Project