Researchers have found a way to switch superconductivity on and off in twisted bilayer graphene by adjusting its surrounding environment. The discovery challenges conventional theories and could advance energy-efficient electronics. The work was published in Nature Physics.
A team led by Chun Ning (Jeanie) Lau at The Ohio State University combined twisted bilayer graphene with strontium titanate. This setup let them tune how electrons interact and control superconductivity by changing the material's environment. The approach differs from traditional methods that focus on reducing electron repulsion inside the material itself.