Discovery of New Strange Metal

Scientists have recently discovered a new group of metals. The newly discovered metal group is called as “New Strange group of metals”. The characteristics of metals like copper or iron are predictable. That is, their melting point, reaction nature, malleability, ductility are known to human. The characteristics of this new group of metals are yet to be deciphered. They still remain a puzzle. Thus, these metals have been classified as strange metals.

Key Facts

The strange metals are also called non – Fermi liquids. They do not follow the traditional rules of metals. Their behavior was first discovered in cuprates, that is, copper oxides. These cuprates are high temperature super conductors.

Superconductivity in new strange group of metal

These metals do not follow the electrical conductance as that of the metals. It is expected that these metals might help scientists understand the phenomena such as high – temperature super conductivity.

Electrical conductance in strange metals

The strange metals do not conduct electricity as that of metals. In metals, the electrical charge is carried by electrons. In strange metals, the electrical charge is carried by “Cooper pairs”. These cooper pairs take the charge in wave like pattern. Electrons belong to fermion. The cooper pairs act as bosons.

Fermions and Bosons

Unlike Fermions, the bosons share the same quantum state.

Discovery

The strange metals were discovered before 30 years. They belong to a class of materials called Cuprates. They are copper oxide materials. They act as high temperature superconductors, that is, they conduct electricity with zero resistance. In metals, the resistance increases with increase in temperature. After the metals are heated to a certain point, the resistance becomes constant.

Zero resistance in strange metals

Scientists are yet to find why the resistances of strange metals become zero after a certain temperature. However, they have found out that this phenomenon is related to energy produced in thermal motion and Planck’s constant. The Planck’s constant relates mass and frequency

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2022

Category: Science & Technology Current Affairs