MIT researchers have uncovered a mechanism behind fractional electronic charges in pentalayer graphene, a five-layered graphene structure atop boron nitride. Previous work revealed electrons splitting into fractions without a magnetic field, a phenomenon coined the “fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect.” This new study showed that electrons in pentalayer graphene form a crystal-like structure under the influence of a weak electrical potential created by the material’s moiré pattern. These quantum interactions confine electrons, forcing them to interact through wave-like quantum correlations, ultimately enabling fractional charges to emerge. This discovery provides a theoretical framework for fractional electron behavior in two-dimensional systems, paving the way for further exploration of novel quantum materials and phenomena.
For more details, please continue reading the full article under the following link:
In general, if you enjoy reading this kind of scientific news articles, I would also be keen to connect with fellow researchers based on common research interests, including the possibility to discuss about any potential interest in the Materials Square cloud-based online platform ( www.matsq.com ), designed for streamlining the execution of materials and molecular atomistic simulations!
Best regards,
Dr. Gabriele Mogni
Technical Consultant and EU Representative
Virtual Lab Inc., the parent company of the Materials Square platform
Website: Home | Virtual Lab Inc.
Email: gabriele@simulation.re.kr
#materials #materialsscience #materialsengineering #computationalchemistry #modelling #chemistry #researchanddevelopment #research #MaterialsSquare #ComputationalChemistry #Tutorial #DFT #simulationsoftware #simulation