Two par­ti­cles? Three par­ti­cles!

In its simplest form, two charged particles that either repel or attract one another are enough to explain the world. Molecules and large solids, for example, are based on this physical interaction between an ion and an electron. Now, researchers have discovered a three-particle state - or more precisely, they have predicted its existence in a special material. The researchers from the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), TU Dortmund University and the Los Alamos National Laboratory have also shown that X-rays could be used to detect this three-particle state in an experiment. In the future, their magnetic three-particle state could even evolve into a technology for use in quantum computers.

"The prediction of these three-particle states is crucial because their binding power differs fundamentally from the previously known mechanisms," says Benedikt Fauseweh, Group Leader at the DLR Institute for Software Technology in Cologne. "The discovery increases the probability that we will find even more exotic states, such as entire strings of magnetic excitations." The strings could later be 'linked' to qubits- the computational building blocks of quantum computers. The information would be stored in the individual strings and the computing operations would then be carried out by braiding the strings. These braids are exceptionally stable in the quantum world. That is why topological quantum computers based on this fundamental idea are considered resistant to external perturbation, and this presents an advantage over other quantum computing technologies.

New insights into quantum materials and superconductivity possible

The researchers spent two years calculating the three-particle states in high-temperature superconductors. This class of materials, based on copper oxides, has only been known since the 1980s and has properties that are still not entirely understood (see info box below). The current research results were published in the scientific journal Communications Physics and included instructions on practically demonstrating the states using X-ray experiments that should make the three bound particles visible. "The X-rays are absorbed by the material and transfer energy to the atoms. If a three-particle state is generated in the process, it is possible to measure a particularly strong scattering of the radiation," says Benedikt Fauseweh.

The three-particle states are also highly interesting for fundamental research. The successful detection of these structures using X-rays would present a promising experimental opportunity to learn more about quantum materials. It would also make it possible to observe the possible effects of this strong bonding on high-temperature superconductors. "It would be exciting, for example, to learn that the three-particle states have a significant influence on superconductivity and its transition temperature," explains Fauseweh.