New state of quantum matter could power future space tech
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New state of quantum matter could power future space tech
- Date:
- December 2, 2025
- Source:
- University of California, Irvine
- Summary:
- A UC Irvine team uncovered a never-before-seen quantum phase formed when electrons and holes pair up and spin in unison, creating a glowing, liquid-like state of matter. By blasting a custom-made material with enormous magnetic fields, the researchers triggered this exotic transformation—one that could enable radiation-proof, self-charging computers ideal for deep-space travel.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have identified a previously unobserved form of quantum matter. According to the team, this state arises inside a specially engineered material that may one day support self-charging computers and technologies capable of operating in the harsh environment of deep space.
In this phase, electrons and positively charged "holes" come together to form a fluid-like mixture that creates unusual structures known as excitons. What makes this discovery especially striking is that the electrons and holes rotate in the same direction. "It's its own new thing," Jauregui said. "If we could hold it in our hands, it would glow a bright, high-frequency light."
The phenomenon was found in a material produced at UC Irvine by postdoctoral researcher Jinyu Liu, the study's first author. Jauregui's group detected the phase at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico while studying the material under intense magnetic conditions.
Magnetic Fields Trigger the New Quantum Phase
Creating this quantum state required exposing the material to magnetic fields of up to 70 Teslas (by comparison, the magnetic field from a strong fridge magnet is around 0.1 Teslas). The team refers to the material as hafnium pentatelluride.
As the magnetic field increased, the researchers observed a sharp drop in the material's electrical conductivity. Jauregui explained that this sudden change indicated the system had shifted into the exotic exciton state. "This discovery is important because it may allow signals to be carried by spin rather than electrical charge, offering a new path toward energy-efficient technologies like spin-based electronics or quantum devices."
Radiation-Resistant Properties for Space Exploration
This newly observed quantum matter is not affected by radiation, a trait that sets it apart from many materials used in today's electronic devices. The team believes this could be significant for space applications.
"It could be useful for space missions," Jauregui said. "If you want computers in space that are going to last, this is one way to make that happen."
Companies such as SpaceX are working toward future human missions to Mars, and any long-duration spaceflight will require electronics that can handle continuous radiation exposure.
"We don't know yet what possibilities will open as a result," Jauregui said.
The material was synthesized,
characterized and incorporated into
testable devices at UC Irvine by Jinyu
Liu with assistance from graduate
students Robert Welser and Timothy
McSorley, and undergraduate researcher
Triet Ho. Theoretical modeling and
interpretation were contributed by
Shizeng Lin, Varsha Subramanyan, and
Avadh Saxena at LANL.
High-magnetic-field experiments were
carried out with support from Laurel
Winter and Michael T. Pettes at LANL
and David Graf at the National High
Magnetic Field Laboratory in Florida.
Story Source:
Materials provided by University of California, Irvine. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Jinyu Liu, Varsha Subramanyan, Robert Welser, Timothy McSorley, Triet Ho, David Graf, Michael T. Pettes, Avadh Saxena, Laurel E. Winter, Shi-Zeng Lin, Luis A. Jauregui. Possible Spin-Triplet Excitonic Insulator in the Ultraquantum Limit of HfTe5. Physical Review Letters, 2025; 135 (4) DOI: 10.1103/bj2n-4k2w