A New Dimension of Quantum Materials: Topological Phonons Discovered in Crystal Lattices

Researchers from an international consortium have published a groundbreaking study that advances the field of solid-state physics.
An international group of researchers has found that quantum particles, which play a key role in the vibrations of materials affecting their stability and other characteristics, can be classified through topology. Known as phonons, these particles represent the collective vibrational patterns of atoms within a crystal structure. They create disturbances that spread like waves to nearby atoms. Phonons are crucial for several properties of solids, such as thermal and electrical conductivity, neutron scattering, and quantum states including charge density waves and superconductivity.