The fundamental charge, denoted by the symbol “E”, is the fundamental constant of the Universe. It describes the unit of electrical charge that a single proton (positive) and electron (negative) has. But new research challenges our understanding of this seemingly immutable quantity.
Although the concept of “fractional charge” may seem like science fiction, it is a real phenomenon known as the fractional quantum Hall effect, observed under certain conditions in certain materials. This effect causes electrons to exhibit a very small fraction of their normal charge, but only in very strong and carefully controlled magnetic fields.
A new study led by MIT researchers explores this concept in an unexpected material: graphene. The research team created the special material by stacking five ladder-like layers of graphene and sandwiching them between two hexagonal layers of boron nitride. This hybrid material was then exposed to extremely low temperatures.
As the researchers passed electrons through this unique material, they noticed something unusual: The electrons behaved as if they carried fractions of their normal charge, even in the absence of an external magnetic field.
This is the first observation of the fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect in crystalline graphene. This “abnormal” part means that there is no magnetic field, which is usually a fundamental condition for observing fractional charge. This discovery surprised even researchers.
The research team, led by Professor Long Ju, plans to further investigate the unique electronic properties of multilayer graphene, expecting new discoveries.
Source: Ferra
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