{"id":290397,"date":"2025-07-25T10:58:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T10:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/290397\/"},"modified":"2025-07-25T10:58:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T10:58:09","slug":"first-direct-images-reveal-atomic-thermal-vibrations-in-quantum-materials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/290397\/","title":{"rendered":"First direct images reveal atomic thermal vibrations in quantum materials"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Researchers<\/p>\n

Illustration of experimental measurement of thermal vibrations in a single atom. Credit: Yichao Zhang et al.<\/p>\n

Researchers investigating atomic-scale phenomena impacting next-generation electronic and quantum devices have captured the first microscopy images of atomic thermal vibrations, revealing a new type of motion that could reshape the design of quantum technologies and ultrathin electronics.<\/p>\n

Yichao Zhang, an assistant professor in the University of Maryland Department of Materials Science and Engineering, has developed an electron microscopy technique to directly image “moir\u00e9 phasons”\u2014a physical phenomenon that impacts superconductivity and heat conduction in two-dimensional materials<\/a> for next-generation electronic and quantum devices<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A paper about the research, which documents images of the thermal vibration of individual atoms<\/a> for the first time, has been published<\/a> in the journal Science.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Atom-by-Atom Imaging of Moir\u00e9 Phasons with Electron Ptychography. Credit: University of Maryland <\/p>\n

Two-dimensional materials, which are sheet-like structures a few nanometers thick, are being explored as new components of next-generation quantum and electronic devices<\/a>. A feature in twisted two-dimensional materials are “moir\u00e9 phasons,” critical to understanding the materials’ thermal conductivity, electronic behavior, and structural order.<\/p>\n

Previously, moir\u00e9 phasons were difficult to detect experimentally, preventing further understanding of the materials that could revolutionize quantum technologies and energy-efficient electronics.<\/p>\n

Zhang’s research team took on this challenge by using a new technique called “electron ptychography,” which achieved the highest resolution documented (better than 15 picometer) and detected blurring of individual atoms caused by thermal vibrations.<\/p>\n

Her work has revealed that spatially localized moir\u00e9 phasons dominate thermal vibrations of twisted two-dimensional materials, which fundamentally reshaped how scientists understand its impact.<\/p>\n

The breakthrough study, which confirmed the longstanding theoretical predictions of moir\u00e9 phasons, also demonstrated that “electron ptychography” can be used to map thermal vibrations with atomic precision for the first time\u2014which was previously an experimental capability out of reach.<\/p>\n

“This is like decoding a hidden language of atomic motion,” said Zhang. “Electron ptychography lets us see these subtle vibrations directly. Now we have a powerful new method to explore previously hidden physics, which will accelerate discoveries in two-dimensional quantum materials.”<\/p>\n

Zhang’s research team will next focus on resolving how thermal vibrations are affected by defects and interfaces in quantum and electronic materials.<\/p>\n

Controlling the thermal vibration<\/a> behavior of these materials could enable the design of novel devices with tailored thermal, electronic, and optical properties<\/a>\u2014paving the way for advances in quantum computing<\/a>, energy-efficient electronics, and nanoscale sensors.<\/p>\n

More information:<\/strong>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYichao Zhang et al, Atom-by-atom imaging of moir\u00e9 phasons with electron ptychography, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126\/science.adw7751<\/a>. www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/science.adw7751<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProvided by
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUniversity of Maryland<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCitation<\/strong>:
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFirst direct images reveal atomic thermal vibrations in quantum materials (2025, July 24)
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tretrieved 25 July 2025
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfrom https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2025-07-images-reveal-atomic-thermal-vibrations.html\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
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