Get to know about Free Flow of Electrons!
Free Flow of Electrons!
Electrons are the building blocks of electronic devices and
the movement of these electrons plays a crucial role in the functionality of
electronic devices. Basically, any electronic conduction requires the movement of
electrons and thus it is a very fundamental and important aspect. In traditional
metals, electrons are expected to move diffusively, meaning that they behave
like individual particles. However, a recent study has discovered a novel
behaviour of electrons in a metal called ditetrelide (NbGe2), where electrons
behave like a fluid, flowing in a way similar to water in a pipe. This
fluid-like behaviour is due to the interaction between electrons and
quasiparticles called phonons, which arise from vibrations in the crystal
structure of the metal.
This discovery has important implications for the
development of new electronic devices as it completely revolutionaries
electrical conduction. Let's first look at the traditional or regular conduction of
electrons. Metals are characterized by having a sea of free electrons that are
loosely bound to their nuclei. These electrons are able to move easily
throughout the metal structure, allowing for the flow of electrical current.
The conduction of electrons in metals is facilitated by
their unique atomic structure. Metals have a crystalline lattice structure in
which atoms are arranged in a regular pattern. Within this lattice structure,
some of the valence electrons are not bound to a specific atom and instead move
freely throughout the lattice.
When a voltage is applied to a metal conductor, the free
electrons are set in motion and begin to move through the lattice structure.
This movement of electrons constitutes an electrical current. The amount of
current that flows through the conductor is directly proportional to the
voltage applied and the resistance of the conductor.
The ability to manipulate electrons in a fluid-like way
could lead to the creation of new types of electronic devices that are more
efficient and faster than those currently available. The potential of this
discovery is immense and could lead to a revolution in the field of
electronics.
To understand this discovery better, let us first understand
the concept of phonons. Phonons are quasiparticles that arise due to the
vibrations of the atoms in a crystal lattice. These vibrations cause the atoms
to oscillate around their equilibrium positions, which in turn, leads to the
creation of phonons. These phonons can interact with electrons, leading to a
variety of phenomena, including the electron-phonon liquid.
In the electron-phonon liquid, electrons interact strongly
with phonons, causing them to behave like a fluid. This behaviour is due to the
fact that the electrons and phonons become strongly correlated, leading to a
collective motion of the electron-phonon liquid. This behaviour is similar to
the way in which water flows in a pipe, where the water molecules move together
in a coordinated way.
To confirm the existence of the electron-phonon liquid, the
research team used three experimental methods. The first method involved
measuring the electrical resistivity of the metal. The resistivity of the metal
was found to be higher than expected, indicating that the electrons in the
metal had a higher mass than usual. The second method used Raman scattering
laser analysis to study the vibrations of NbGe2. The analysis showed that the
vibrations of the metal changed due to the unusual flow of electrons,
confirming the existence of the electron-phonon liquid. Finally, X-ray
diffraction techniques were used to reveal the crystal structure of the metal,
which confirmed the unusual behaviour of electrons in the metal.
The discovery of the electron-phonon liquid in NbGe2 was
truly surprising because the metal is seemingly simple. The fact that electrons
in the metal behaved like fluid was unexpected and has important implications
for the field of material science. This discovery could pave the way for the
development of new electronic devices that are more efficient and faster than
those currently available.
In conclusion, the discovery of the electron-phonon liquid
in NbGe2 is a significant breakthrough in the field of material science. The
ability to manipulate electrons in a fluid-like way could lead to the creation
of new types of electronic devices that are more efficient and faster than
those currently available. The potential of this discovery is immense, and
further research is needed to fully understand the behaviour of electrons in
the electron-phonon liquid.
CREDITS:
Ojas Tumbde (112o11069) TY Metallurgy
RESOURCES:
https://www.sciencealert.com/in-this-new-metal-electrons-flow-like-a-fluid
https://arxiv.org/abs/2103.01515
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