A group of researchers has created a new metal that is able to make electrons flow freely. This could be a revolution in the generation of future electronic devices. When exploring a superconducting metal element made of germanium and niobium, a Boston College professor along with colleagues from the University of Texas and Florida State University discovered that a powerful interaction between electrons and phonons modifies the transport of electrons from its typical motion, very similar to that of a fluid particle.
This was the first discovery of this new phonon-electron fluid. A phonon is a very important quasiparticle for many properties, including thermal and electrical conductivity. As a general rule, electrons are scattered by phonons, which produces the usual diffusion motion of electrons in metal. A new theory suggests that when electrons interact with phonons, they form an electron-phonon bonded liquid.
Electrons flow freely
Therefore, this new liquid can flow inside the metal in the same way that, for example, water flows inside a pipe. The researchers believe that this discovery will help further research in the future to analyze this new material and get the most out of it.
Electrons circulate as discrete particles and diffuse into metals as they vibrate apart.
To highlight the conduction of electricity in this new metal, several different methods were experimented with. One of them was the “Raman Effect”, which revealed the change in motion in the vibration of the new material caused by the special fluid-like flow of electrons. In fact, electrical resistance measurements revealed excess mass of electrons and X-ray diffraction revealed the crystalline structure of the material.
A revolution in electronics could come
Another method was “quantum oscillations” which proved very useful in determining the mass of electrons in the material. This allowed the researchers to observe that the mass of the electrons was three times greater than expected.
This was a surprise because they did not expect to see so many electrons in such a light material. The key was the strong interaction between electrons and phonons that was responsible for the behavior of heavy electrons.
The next step in the research according to the experts is to control the hydrodynamic fluid of electrons in other materials in addition to this new one. If this new material can be further developed and optimized , new electronic devices could be created in the future in which electrons move more fluidly.