At a Glance
- Researchers from the University of California, Irvine, have experimentally discovered a new quantum state of matter, known as a spin-triplet excitonic insulator, in the material hafnium pentatelluride.
- This exotic phase, previously only theoretical, forms when electrons and holes with the same spin direction bind together into pairs known as excitons under a strong magnetic field.
- The discovery was made by applying an extremely high magnetic field of up to 72 Teslas, which caused the material’s electrical conductivity to suddenly drop, signaling a phase change.
- This new matter is highly resistant to radiation, making it a promising candidate for developing durable computers and electronics capable of withstanding the harsh conditions of deep space.
- The finding could also pave the way for new energy-efficient technologies, such as spintronics, which uses an electron’s spin instead of its charge to transmit information and signals.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have announced the discovery of a long theorized state of quantum matter. This breakthrough could pave the way for radiation-proof computers and next-generation electronics. The team, in a study published in the journal Physical Review Letters, provides the first experimental evidence of a “spin-triplet” excitonic insulator. This exotic phase of matter is formed from excitons, which are pairs of negatively charged electrons and the positively charged “holes” they leave behind. In this new state, the paired electrons and holes spin in the same direction.
This novel material, a type of crystal known as hafnium pentatelluride, was synthesized and developed in the UC Irvine labs. To coax it into its new state, scientists brought the material to the Los Alamos National Laboratory. They subjected it to an incredibly powerful magnetic field, reaching up to 72 Teslas—hundreds of thousands of times stronger than a refrigerator magnet. Under this intense pressure, the material’s properties changed dramatically. “The material’s ability to carry electricity suddenly drops, showing that it has transformed into this exotic state,” said Luis A. Jauregui, a UC Irvine professor of physics and astronomy and the study’s corresponding author.
This sudden inability to conduct electricity confirmed the formation of the excitonic insulator, where the electron-hole pairs lock up and prevent charge from flowing freely. The unique “spin-triplet” configuration, where the particles spin in unison, distinguishes it from previously observed excitonic insulators. According to the research team, this spin-aligned property could allow signals to be carried by an electron’s spin rather than its charge. This is the central principle behind spintronics, a field that promises to create faster and more energy-efficient technologies.
Beyond spintronics, the new matter has another remarkable quality: it is exceptionally resistant to radiation. This makes it an ideal candidate for building robust computers and electronics that can withstand the harsh environment of deep space. As humanity plans for crewed missions to Mars and beyond, developing technology that can endure prolonged cosmic radiation is a critical challenge. “If you want computers in space that are going to last, this is one way to make that happen,” Jauregui explained in a university press release, highlighting the discovery’s potential to support the future of space exploration.
References
- Liu, J., Subramanyan, V., Welser, R., McSorley, T., Ho, T., Graf, D., Pettes, M. T., Saxena, A., Winter, L. E., Lin, S.-Z., & Jauregui, L. A. (2025). Possible spin-triplet excitonic insulator in the ultraquantum limit of hfte 5. Physical Review Letters, 135(4), 046601. https://doi.org/10.1103/bj2n-4k2w
- University of California Irvine. (2025, July 25). Physicists discover new state of quantum matter. Phys.Org; University of California Irvine. https://phys.org/news/2025-07-physicists-state-quantum.html
