CHLEYABINSK OBLAST, RUSSIA – Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery, identifying the first unconventional superconductor with a chemical composition naturally occurring in miassite, a unique mineral found near the Miass River. While conventional superconductors adhere to the Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer theory, miassite defies these norms, exhibiting properties of high-temperature superconductivity.
Superconductivity, characterized by the absence of electrical resistance and expulsion of magnetic fields below a critical temperature, allows for efficient energy transmission. Unlike conventional superconductors forming electron pairs known as cooper pairs, unconventional superconductors behave similarly but through a different mechanism that researchers are still unraveling. Miassite, with its chemical formula of 17 rhodium atoms and 15 sulfur atoms, challenges traditional understandings of superconductivity.
Despite its relatively low critical temperature of -267.75°C, miassite offers insights into unconventional superconductors’ higher critical temperature properties, paving the way for advancements in this field. With researchers aiming to comprehend the origins of unconventional superconductivity, Miassite’s discovery opens doors to explore new possibilities in superconductor research.
Prozorov’s team at Ames National Laboratory conducted rigorous tests to determine miassite’s unconventional superconducting properties. By subjecting the material to high-energy electrons and analyzing its response to defects, researchers confirmed miassite’s unconventional behavior. Additionally, the London penetration depth method highlighted miassite’s non-conventional characteristics, indicating its potential as a valuable resource in studying superconductivity.
Professor Canfield from Iowa State University synthesized miassite for the research project, emphasizing the mineral’s significance in uncovering new superconducting materials. Through meticulous measurements and experiments, the team discovered miassite’s unconventional nature, shedding light on the intricate world of superconductors. The findings were detailed in a paper published in Communications Materials journal, marking a significant milestone in the field of superconductivity.