"By conclusively confirming emergent photons and spinons in Ce₂Zr₂O₇, we provide the scientific community not only with answers to a historic puzzle but also with a fertile ground for innovation," said Professor Pengcheng Dai from Rice University.
In a landmark discovery published on June 19, 2025, an international team led by Rice University confirmed the existence of emergent photons and fractionalized spin excitations within the quantum spin liquid cerium zirconium oxide (Ce₂Zr₂O₇). This finding marks a significant advancement in condensed matter physics, identifying Ce₂Zr₂O₇ as a three-dimensional realization of this exotic quantum state.
Quantum spin liquids, with their unique magnetic properties and strong quantum entanglement, have long fascinated physicists. The discovery of emergent photons, which mimic the behavior of photons in electromagnetic fields, opens new avenues for ultra-efficient signal transmission and quantum information processing. The team utilized advanced polarized neutron scattering techniques and thermodynamic measurements to confirm their findings.
The implications of this discovery extend beyond fundamental physics, offering potential for technological advancements. Quantum spin liquids could play a crucial role in quantum information processing due to their robustness against decoherence. The study, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the Robert A. Welch Foundation, involved collaboration from major facilities in Europe and North America.