PtBi2 Illustration (IMAGE)

Technische Universität Dresden

PtBi2 Illustration

Caption

The material PtBi₂ (lower metallic block) has a superconducting top surface (blue). Where the electrons in this surface pair up, indicated by the height of the blue wave, they move without resistance. Just like other superconductors, this allows PtBi₂ to levitate a magnet above its surface (floating disc). Curiously, there are six directions along which electrons are unable to pair up, making PtBi₂ a superconductor unlike any other.

Credit

think-design | Jochen Thamm

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