In the realm of energy research, scientists are continually exploring novel materials and phenomena that could potentially revolutionize how we generate, transmit, and store energy. One such area of interest is the interplay between different quantum phenomena in materials, which could lead to breakthroughs in energy technologies. Tetsuo Hanaguri, a researcher from the Advanced Institute for Materials Research at Tohoku University, has been investigating these interactions to better understand their potential applications.
Hanaguri’s recent study focuses on the interplay between charge density waves (CDW) and superconductivity in the layered superconductor 2H-NbSe2. To delve into this complex interaction, Hanaguri and his team employed ultralow-temperature spectroscopic-imaging scanning tunneling microscopy on the cleaved surface of 2H-NbSe2. This advanced technique allowed them to probe the material’s electronic properties at an atomic scale.
The researchers found that the superconducting gap spectrum of 2H-NbSe2 exhibits intricate structures, reflecting the anisotropic gaps that open on multiple Fermi surfaces. Notably, the characteristic energy scales apparent in the spectral gap did not show significant spatial variations, suggesting that finite-momentum pairing is negligible in this material. Instead, the spectral weight near the coherence peak was modulated with the same periodicity as the CDW. This modulation’s maximum position aligned with the center of one of the two inequivalent triangular plaquettes that comprise the CDW unit cell, rather than with the peak or bottom of the CDW modulation.
This distribution pattern of Bogoliubov quasiparticles is a direct result of the broken in-plane inversion symmetry at the surface of 2H-NbSe2, which may activate Ising spin-orbit coupling. Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing novel superconducting materials and devices, which could have practical applications in the energy sector, such as lossless power transmission, highly efficient electric motors, and advanced energy storage systems.
The research was published in the journal Nature Communications, a reputable open-access, peer-reviewed journal that covers all areas of the natural sciences. While the study primarily focuses on fundamental physics, the insights gained from understanding the interplay between CDW and superconductivity could pave the way for innovative energy technologies that harness the unique properties of quantum materials. As the energy industry continues to evolve, research like Hanaguri’s plays a vital role in driving progress and shaping the future of energy.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.