Aavishkar Patel and his team from the Flatiron Institute‘s Center for Computational Quantum Physics (CCQ) in New York City have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the enigmatic behavior of ‘strange metals.’ These materials have perplexed quantum physicists for almost four decades due to their anomalous electrical properties that defy conventional explanations. In a recent study published in Science, Patel et al. present a comprehensive theory that unravels the underlying mechanism responsible for the distinct characteristics of strange metals. This achievement marks a pivotal advancement in the realm of condensed matter physics.

The researchers’ groundbreaking theory sheds light on the perplexing nature of strange metals by integrating two fundamental properties. Firstly, the electrons within these materials can become entangled on a quantum level, resulting in intertwined fates even when separated over distances. Secondly, strange metals possess an irregular and patchwork-like arrangement of atoms. Individually, neither of these properties suffices to elucidate the peculiar behavior of strange metals. However, when considered in tandem, they offer a surprisingly simple and coherent explanation for the observed anomalies. Patel, a Flatiron Research Fellow at CCQ, emphasizes that this unique interplay of entanglement and nonuniformity has not been previously considered for any material, making the proposed theory a significant departure from the overly complicated explanations of the past.

The implications of this research extend beyond mere theoretical understanding, potentially leading to practical applications. A deeper comprehension of strange metals could pave the way for developing novel superconductors, including those suitable for applications such as quantum computing. Patel envisions that these findings could help surmount obstacles in achieving superconductivity in instances where competing states hinder its emergence. As a result, the name ‘strange metals’ may no longer be apt, prompting Patel to suggest ‘unusual metals’ as a more fitting descriptor. Collaborating with researchers from Harvard University, including Haoyu Guo, Ilya Esterlis, and Subir Sachdev, Patel’s work brings us closer to demystifying the behaviors of these perplexing quantum materials.

References

• Patel, A. A., Guo, H., Esterlis, I., & Sachdev, S. (2023). Universal theory of strange metals from spatially random interactions. Science, 381(6659), 790–793. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abq6011
• Simons Foundation. (2023, August 17). Scientists identify mechanism that explains the characteristic properties of ‘strange metals’. Phys.Org. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-scientists-mechanism-characteristic-properties-strange.html