The discovery of these electron vortices in graphene is significant because they are related to the Berry phase, a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics. The Berry phase is a geometric phase that arises from the cyclic evolution of a quantum system and is closely related to the topological properties of materials. The observation of electron vortices in graphene provides direct evidence for the existence of the Berry phase in this material.
Quantum Sensing Techniques
The researchers used quantum sensing techniques to detect the electron vortices in graphene. Quantum sensing is a rapidly developing field that involves the use of quantum systems to measure various physical quantities with high precision. In this study, the researchers used nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to sense the magnetic fields associated with the electron vortices in graphene.
Quantum Hall Effect
A team of researchers has revealed the existence of hidden electron vortices in graphene through quantum sensing techniques. These vortices, which are associated with the quantum Hall effect, have been observed in the two-dimensional electron gas of graphene. The quantum Hall effect is a phenomenon that occurs in two-dimensional systems subjected to a strong magnetic field, where the Hall conductance takes on quantized values.