Imagine a donut and a coffee cup. They might seem different, but in the world of topology, they're fundamentally the same because they both have one hole. Indian researchers have now applied a similar concept to the quantum realm, uncovering a revolutionary method for detecting hidden properties in exotic materials.
Researchers at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in India, led by Professor Dibyendu Roy and PhD researcher Kiran Babasaheb Estake, have pioneered a new approach called momentum-space spectral function (SPSF) analysis. This method allows scientists to indirectly visualize and identify topological invariants in quantum materials, like topological insulators and superconductors, without direct observation.
This breakthrough, published in Physical Review B, has profound implications for next-generation technologies. It could pave the way for advancements in quantum computing, fault-tolerant electronics, and energy-efficient systems. "We have demonstrated through various examples that the spectral function also contains signatures about the topology of a system," said Estake, highlighting the study's potential for broad application.
Traditional methods relied on Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy (ARPES). The RRI team's discovery demonstrates that spectral functions inherently contain topological signatures. This opens new avenues for exploring and classifying quantum materials, solidifying India's position at the forefront of condensed matter physics research.