In a significant advancement, researchers have successfully simulated Caroli-de Gennes-Matricon (CdGM) states, quantum structures predicted to exist within the core of vortices in superconductors. This breakthrough, achieved by a team at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, opens new avenues for understanding quantum phenomena and developing advanced technologies.
The CdGM states, proposed in 1964, are crucial for understanding how quantum particles behave in extreme environments. However, their minute energy scales made direct observation challenging. The team created a synthetic version using indium arsenide (InAs) nanowires coated with aluminum, forming a superconductor-semiconductor structure. By applying a magnetic field, they induced an artificial vortex, allowing them to study these elusive states.
This simulation enabled the observation of "analogs of CdGM states" and the manipulation of system parameters. The researchers observed a "lobe structure" in the superconducting energy gap, validating the model. This work, a collaboration between physicists in Denmark, Spain, and the United States, could lead to advancements in quantum computing, sensors, and topological circuits. The ability to control and understand these states is a crucial step towards building more stable and functional quantum devices.