The possibility of realizing ultrahigh-speed computers with low power consumption also discovers new substances that become "topological insulators"

Solids include metals, insulators, semiconductors, superconductors, etc. Although the interior is an insulator that does not conduct current, the surface has a characteristic of flowing electricityTopological insulator"A new state of being discovered has attracted attention in recent years.

And by Tohoku University, Osaka University, etc., new substances which become "topological insulator" were discovered.

On the surface of "topological insulator", electrons are much easier to move than conventional materials, and impurities are not easily disturbed. In the future, applying this technology will make it possible to achieve lower power consumption and higher Computers that realize computing performance are also expected to appear.

Details are as below.
Hebei Shinbun News / Tohoku news / Discover new material of "topological insulator" Tohoku University Collaborative Research

According to the report of Hebei Shimbun, the research group of Associate Professor Sato Umemura (solid physics) of the Graduate School of Science of Tohoku University who is conducting joint research with Osaka University etc., the insulator is an insulator , It seems that the surface has discovered a new substance of "topological insulator" having the characteristic of flowing electricity.

The research group focused on the compounds of thallium, bismuth and selenium which were theoretically expected to be topological insulators, mixed these substances while adjusting the ratio, melted at high temperature, gradually cooled down He said that he succeeded in making large crystals.

Up to now, two substances have been reported as topological insulators, but in either case there was a disadvantage that the function of the insulator was unstable at room temperature and extra energy flowed, but the compounds discovered this time, It is said that the insulator could be kept in a stable state even at room temperature for the first time.

While there are promising applications of topological insulators, such as the development of electronic parts with low power consumption and the development of ultrahigh-speed computers, there are promising applications, Associate Professor Sato said that from a fraction of a conventional It is suggested that it is possible to make electronic components of a computer that operates with about 1 electric power.

Although it seems to be a great merit to improve the performance of computers for home use and industrial use, power consumption of mobile devices with limited battery capacity such as smart phones and tablet terminals that are expected to spread in earnest in the future If it leads to a reduction in the number of plants, it seems to be useful in many places.