Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
05:39
Scalable Quantum Integrated Circuits on Superconducting Two-Dimensional Electron Gas Platform
Published on: August 2, 2019
Irradiation-induced confinement in a quasi-one-dimensional metal
A Enayati-Rad1, A Narduzzo, F Rullier-Albenque
1H.H. Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, BS8 1TL, United Kingdom.
Physical Review Letters
|October 13, 2007
Summary
Anisotropic resistivity in PrBa(2)Cu(4)O(8) shows localization effects at low disorder levels. This suggests a shift towards a one-dimensional electronic state where electrons are confined to chains.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- PrBa(2)Cu(4)O(8) is a cuprate superconductor.
- Understanding electron behavior in disordered materials is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of electron irradiation on PrBa(2)Cu(4)O(8) resistivity.
- To explore localization effects and their implications for electronic structure.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of anisotropic resistivity.
- Controlled electron irradiation to introduce disorder.
Main Results:
- Observed localization effects at low disorder fluences.
- Electron mean free paths were found to be around 100 unit cells.
- Anomalous localization threshold indicates a crossover.
Conclusions:
- The material exhibits a crossover to a 1D-like ground state.
- Conduction electrons become confined to specific chains under disorder.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Theory of Metallic Conduction
The conduction of free electrons inside a conductor is best described by quantum mechanics. However, a classical model makes predictions close to the results of quantum mechanics. It is called the theory of metallic conduction.
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
01:27Biasing of Metal-Semiconductor Junctions
Biasing metal-semiconductor junctions involves applying a voltage across the junction. Specifically, the metal is connected to a voltage source, while the semiconductor is grounded. This technique is essential for controlling the direction and magnitude of current flow in electronic devices, including diodes, transistors, and photovoltaic cells.
In Schottky junctions, where the semiconductor is n-type, applying a positive voltage to the metal relative to the semiconductor reduces its Fermi...
In Schottky junctions, where the semiconductor is n-type, applying a positive voltage to the metal relative to the semiconductor reduces its Fermi...
01:23Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
In the absence of an external magnetic field, nuclear spin states are degenerate and randomly oriented. When a magnetic field is applied, the spins begin to precess and orient themselves along (lower energy) or against (higher energy) the direction of the field. At equilibrium, a slight excess population of spins exists in the lower energy state. Because the direction of the magnetic field is fixed as the z-axis, the precessing magnetic moments are randomly oriented around the z-axis. This...
01:14Diamagnetic Shielding of Nuclei: Local Diamagnetic Current
An applied magnetic field causes the electrons present in the molecule to circulate, setting up a local diamagnetic current within the molecule. The local diamagnetic current arising from circulating sigma-bonding electrons induces a magnetic field, Blocal that opposes the applied magnetic field, B0. The effective magnetic field experienced by these nuclei is given by the difference between the applied and local magnetic fields in a phenomenon called local diamagnetic shielding. Essentially,...
01:20Electric Field Inside a Conductor
When a conductor is placed in an external electric field, the free charges in the conductor redistribute and very quickly reach electrostatic equilibrium. The resulting charge distribution and its electric field have many interesting properties, which can be investigated with the help of Gauss's law.
Suppose a piece of metal is placed near a positive charge. The free electrons in the metal are attracted to the external positive charge and migrate freely toward that region. This region then has...
Suppose a piece of metal is placed near a positive charge. The free electrons in the metal are attracted to the external positive charge and migrate freely toward that region. This region then has...
01:28Standing Waves in a Cavity
A household microwave and lasers are examples of standing electromagnetic waves in a cavity. When two conducting metal plates are placed parallel at the nodal planes, it creates a cavity where standing waves are formed. The cavity between the two planes is analogous to a stretched string held at the points x = 0 and x = L. Here, the distance 'L' between the two planes must be an integer multiple of half of the wavelength. The wavelengths that satisfy this condition are given by: