Why in the News?

Researchers have recently discovered a potential new state of matter, the Bose metal, found between a regular metal and a superconductor, with evidence of this phase in Niobium Diselenide (NbSe₂) by a team of Chinese and Japanese scientists.

What is a Bose Metal?

• A Bose metal is a hypothetical anomalous metallic state where Cooper pairs (electron pairs) form but do not transition into a superconducting state.
• This state exists between a normal metal and a superconductor, challenging traditional theories of condensed matter physics.
• In simple terms, a Bose metal is a material where:
  • Electrons pair up into Cooper pairs (like in superconductors).
  • However, these Cooper pairs fail to achieve long-range coherence, meaning the material remains metallic instead of becoming superconducting.
  • This results in partial electrical resistance, unlike superconductors that have zero resistance.
• Recent experimental studies suggest their existence in materials like Niobium Diselenide (NbSe₂) when subjected to specific conditions, such as thin layers and applied magnetic fields.

Key Features:

• Intermediate State: Exists between a metal and a superconductor.
• Cooper Pair Formation: Electrons form pairs, but they don’t condense into superconductivity.
• Anomalous Conductivity: Higher than normal metals but not infinite like superconductors.
• Quantum Fluctuations: Strong phase fluctuations disrupt Cooper pair coherence.
• Hall Resistance Vanishing: Indicates charge transport by Cooper pairs rather than individual electrons.
• Observed in Thin 2D Materials: Seen in ultra-thin films of superconductors under specific conditions.

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