Researchers at Rice University have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of strange metals—materials that defy conventional understanding of electricity and magnetism
Using quantum Fisher information (QFI), a concept borrowed from quantum computing, the team has uncovered how electron entanglement peaks at a quantum critical point, offering a new perspective on these mysterious materials.
The study, led by Qimiao Si, professor of physics and astronomy at Rice, was published on March 14, 2025, in Nature Communications under the title “Amplified multipartite entanglement witnessed in a quantum critical metal.”
Unlike typical metals like copper or gold, strange metals exhibit unpredictable electrical properties, particularly at very low temperatures. Traditional physics fails to explain their behavior. The researchers focused on a theoretical model known as the Kondo lattice, which describes how magnetic moments interact with electrons.
At a critical transition point, these interactions grow so intense that the building blocks of electrical behavior, known as quasiparticles, disappear. Using QFI, the team was able to track how this quasiparticle loss is linked to electron spins becoming highly entangled. The entanglement peaks precisely at the quantum critical point—the boundary between two different states of matter.
Understanding strange metals could have profound technological implications. These materials share properties with high-temperature superconductors, which have the potential to transmit electricity without energy loss. Unlocking their secrets could revolutionize power grids and energy-efficient technologies.
“Our findings reveal that strange metals exhibit a unique entanglement pattern, which offers a new lens to understand their exotic behavior,” said Si. “By leveraging quantum information theory, we are uncovering deep quantum correlations that were previously inaccessible.”
The application of QFI, primarily used in quantum information and precision measurements, marks a novel approach in materials research. The researchers’ calculations aligned with real-world experimental data obtained through inelastic neutron scattering, further validating their findings.
“By integrating quantum information science with condensed matter physics, we are pivoting in a new direction in materials research,” Si explained.
This discovery doesn’t just unravel the mysteries of strange metals; it provides a framework for exploring other complex materials. Enhanced entanglement, as demonstrated in this study, could be a valuable resource for future quantum technologies.
As researchers continue to explore the implications of their findings, the potential applications of strange metals and their connection to superconductors could pave the way for revolutionary advancements in energy transmission and quantum computing.
Bangladesh has called for increased climate financing and faster delivery of support to vulnerable nations, arguing that current global funding commit...
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian asset...
Apple is facing a £3 billion lawsuit in the United Kingdom after a competition tribunal approved a major collective action over its iCloud storage se...
Iran has strengthened ties with regional partners and agreed a roadmap for technical talks with the U.S. aimed at securing a final peace agreement wit...
Belgium has issued 24-hour visas to a Taliban delegation attending European Union migration talks in Brussels, as EU member states explore ways to ret...
Bangladesh has called for increased climate financing and faster delivery of support to vulnerable nations, arguing that current global funding commitments fall far short of what developing countries need to tackle the growing impacts of climate change.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian assets would be used to buy humanitarian supplies from the United States.
Apple is facing a £3 billion lawsuit in the United Kingdom after a competition tribunal approved a major collective action over its iCloud storage service.
Iran has strengthened ties with regional partners and agreed a roadmap for technical talks with the U.S. aimed at securing a final peace agreement within two months.
At least thirteen people have died and sixty-six have been injured following an explosion at Qatar's main liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing hub at Ras Laffan, authorities said on Sunday.
Cape Verde’s remarkable FIFA World Cup debut continued on Sunday (21 June) as the tournament newcomers held Uruguay to a 2-2 draw. Goalkeeper Vozinha was once again at the centre of the story, this time with his mother watching from the stands.
Tehran has agreed to let the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommence inspections of its nuclear programme, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said. The U.S. and Iran have settled on a 60-day roadmap aimed at reaching a final deal, according to mediators Qatar and Pakistan.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on a landmark internet deal that will allow traffic to pass through Azerbaijani networks.It's the latest deal to highlight the ongoing peace process between the two countries.
A Ukrainian strike has damaged a school building in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, according to local authorities cited by the TASS news agency. No injuries were reported in the incident.
American technology company Snap has launched its first augmented-reality (AR) glasses for consumers, marking a major push into wearable computing as tech firms race to redefine personal devices in the AI era.
The Canadian government has introduced a digital safety bill that would ban children under the age of 16 from using social media, unless platforms meet specific safety standards.
NASA has named three American astronauts and one Italian astronaut to fly on its Artemis III mission, a major orbital test planned for late next year that will evaluate lunar landing vehicles developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin.
China will send an astronaut to its space station on Sunday for a one-year mission, the longest duration for the country so far. The mission will help study long-duration human physiology in space as China works toward a crewed Moon landing by 2030.
Anxiety over artificial intelligence is hardening among young workers as executives promote faster adoption and companies point to automation in fresh job cuts.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment