Electric Field Unlocks Superconductivity in Rhombohedral Hexalayer Graphene

Rhombohedral Hexalayer Graphene Quantum Phases

Graphene has long been hailed as a wonder material of the 21st century, but recent breakthroughs show that its potential still stretches far beyond current applications. A new study led by researchers at Cornell University and collaborators in Japan has revealed a remarkable interplay of quantum phases in rhombohedral hexalayer graphene, demonstrating that carefully applied electric fields can tune the material into a superconducting-like state with exotic electronic and magnetic properties.

From Graphene Sheets to Quantum Frontiers

The discovery adds to graphene’s already extraordinary profile. Since its isolation in 2004, graphene has revolutionized materials science thanks to its strength, conductivity, and flexibility. But when graphene layers are stacked in particular arrangements—such as the rhombohedral hexalayer configuration—its electrons begin to interact in unexpected ways, giving rise to new states of matter.

In this latest work, the team mapped out an intricate phase diagram showing that rhombohedral hexalayer graphene hosts not only superconductivity at ultra-low temperatures (~170 mK), but also multiferroic orbital magnetic phases and correlated insulating states. The coexistence of these phenomena within a single material platform is highly unusual and points toward new directions in quantum technology.

Superconductivity Beyond Limits

One of the most striking results is the robustness of the superconducting-like state, which persists under in-plane magnetic fields as high as 6 Tesla—more than an order of magnitude beyond the expected Pauli paramagnetic limit. This suggests that the pairing mechanism behind the superconductivity may involve unconventional physics beyond standard BCS theory.

Even more fascinating is the observation that the superconducting state arises precisely where electron and hole Fermi surfaces overlap, hinting at a dual-carrier origin. This makes rhombohedral graphene an exciting platform for investigating exotic superconductivity and correlated electron behaviour.

Electric Field Control: A Game-Changer

The ability to control these quantum phases with an electric field is a breakthrough. Unlike conventional materials, where structural changes or chemical doping are needed, here researchers demonstrated that by simply tuning an applied voltage, they could reverse magnetic hysteresis polarity and even induce band inversion, where the roles of electrons and holes are switched.

This level of control could pave the way for next-generation quantum devices, including reconfigurable superconducting circuits, spintronic systems, and ultra-low-power electronics. It also shows the potential of rhombohedral graphene as a model system for exploring correlated quantum matter.

A Broader Quantum Landscape

This discovery sits within a broader push in materials science to harness quantum phases in layered materials. From rhombohedral graphene to twisted bilayer graphene and transition-metal dichalcogenides, researchers are building a growing toolkit of quantum platforms that may one day underpin quantum computing, neuromorphic electronics, and advanced sensors.

As the underlying physics is still being decoded, these results highlight that the true potential of graphene is still unfolding—nearly two decades after its initial discovery.

Original article source: Quantum Zeitgeist

Prepared with the assistance of AI technologies to enhance readability and SEO performance.

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#Graphene #Superconductivity #QuantumMaterials #Nanotechnology #CondensedMatterPhysics #QuantumComputing #MaterialsScience #RhombohedralGraphene #Multiferroics #QuantumServerNetworks

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