Researchers found that atomic steps just one atom high can guide quantum vortices through superconductors. These tiny features make the vortices move more than 1,000 times more easily in one direction than another, giving researchers strong control over their motion.
The finding shows that a surface feature only one atom high can strongly shape how quantum vortices move. That gives researchers a way to guide this motion, which could help them develop ultra-efficient superconducting electronics. The potential lies in controlling direction at the atomic scale.
✦ A step one atom high could help guide the motion behind future superconducting electronics.