The new state of matter exists only in labs at UC Irvine.<\/p>\n
The material benefits include computers that don\u2019t need to be charged and that are immune to the harmful effects of cosmic radiation.<\/p>\n
Irvine, Calif., July 24, 2025 \u2014 Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have discovered a new state of quantum matter. The state exists within a material that the team reports could lead to a new era of self-charging computers and ones capable of withstanding the challenges of deep space travel.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a new phase of matter, similar to how water can exist as liquid, ice or vapor,\u201d said Luis A. Jauregui, professor of physics & astronomy at UC Irvine and corresponding author of the new Physical Review Letters<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s only been theoretically predicted \u2013 no one has ever measured it until now.\u201d<\/p>\n This new phase is like a liquid composed of electrons and their counterparts, known as \u201choles,\u201d spontaneously pairing and forming exotic states known as excitons. Unusually, the electrons and holes spin together in the same direction. \u201cIt\u2019s its own new thing,\u201d Jauregui said. \u201cIf we could hold it in our hands, it would glow a bright, high-frequency light.\u201d<\/p>\n The phase exists in a material developed at UC Irvine by Jinyu Liu, a postdoctoral researcher in Jauregui\u2019s lab and the first author of the paper. Jauregui and his team measured the phase using high magnetic fields at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico.<\/p>\n The key to creating the new quantum matter was in applying a high-intensity magnetic field of up to 70 Teslas to the material (by comparison, the magnetic field from a strong fridge magnet is around 0.1 Teslas), which the team calls hafnium pentatelluride<\/p>\n Jauregui explained that, as his team applied the magnetic field, the \u201cmaterial\u2019s ability to carry electricity suddenly drops, showing that it has transformed into this exotic state,\u201d he said. \u201cThis discovery is important because it may allow signals to be carried by spin rather than electrical charge, offering a new path toward energy-efficient technologies like spin-based electronics or quantum devices.\u201d<\/p>\n Unlike conventional materials used in electronics, this new quantum matter isn\u2019t affected by any form of radiation, which makes it an ideal candidate for space travel.<\/p>\n \u201cIt could be useful for space missions,\u201d Jauregui said. \u201cIf you want computers in space that are going to last, this is one way to make that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n Companies like SpaceX are planning human-piloted space flight to Mars, and to do that effectively, you need computers that can withstand prolonged periods of exposure to radiation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t know yet what possibilities will open as a result,\u201d Jauregui said. \u00a0<\/p>\n The material was synthesized, characterized and made into measurable devices at UC Irvine by Jinyu Liu with assistance from graduate students Robert Welser and Timothy McSorley, and undergraduate researcher Triet Ho. Theoretical modeling and interpretation were provided by Shizeng Lin, Varsha Subramanyan, and Avadh Saxena at LANL. High-magnetic-field experiments were conducted with the support of Laurel Winter and Michael T. Pettes at LANL and David Graf at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Florida.<\/p>\n About UCI\u2019s Brilliant Future campaign:\u00a0Publicly launched on Oct. 4, 2019, the Brilliant Future campaign<\/a> aims to raise awareness and support for UCI. By engaging 75,000 alumni and garnering $2 billion in philanthropic investment, UCI seeks to reach new heights of excellence in\u00a0student success, health and wellness, research and more. The\u00a0School of Physical Sciences plays a vital role in the success of the campaign. Learn more by visiting https:\/\/brilliantfuture.uci.edu\/uci-school-of-physical-sciences\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n About the University of California, Irvine:\u00a0Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation\u2019s top 10 public universities by\u00a0U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It\u2019s located in one of the world\u2019s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County\u2019s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.\u00a0For more on UC Irvine, visit\u00a0www.uci.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n Media access:\u00a0Radio programs\/stations may, for a fee, use an on-campus studio with a Comrex IP audio codec to interview UC Irvine faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UC Irvine news, visit\u00a0news.uci.edu<\/a>. Additional resources for journalists may be found at\u00a0https:\/\/news.uci.edu\/media-resources<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The new state of matter exists only in labs at UC Irvine. 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