Browse Physics

A decade ago, experimentalists showed that persistent currents can flow in nonsuperconducting mesoscopic metal rings, but there was no theory that correctly explained the magnitude or direction of the unexpectedly large currents. Theorists are now proposing a simple idea that may at last explain these results.

Electrons in graphene can be described by the relativistic Dirac equation for massless fermions and exhibit a host of unusual properties. The surfaces of certain band insulators—called topological insulators—can be described in a similar way, leading to an exotic metallic surface on an otherwise “ordinary” insulator.

Researchers propose a recipe for teleporting electrons using a device that physicists already know how to make.

An unexpected result at the interface of quantum and classical worlds continues to inspire rival explanations.

Carbon nanotubes might be used to separate the entangled electron pairs in superconductors.

A surprising effect, where electrons in a plane choose a preferred direction of motion, may finally have a testable theoretical explanation–one modeled on liquid crystals.

Researchers use a single molecule’s chemical structure to control its electrical conductivity.

Electrons can be arranged into crystalline structures and moved through microscopic ‘wires.’

The thermal conductance of small wires is measured to take quantized values.