Scientists develop ultra thin aluminium wires to help superconductors' function

Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have now developed extremely thin nano wires which can trap the electron vortices that develop in superconductors and facilitate the smooth flow of currents.

When different materials are cooled to -460°F using liquid helium, they become superconductors. Their main advantage is that they can carry electric current without resistance. They are largely used in MRI machines, photon detectors, radio filters in cell phones and particle accelerators. They are also set to play a critical role in the quantum computers of the future. But the magnetic field which is created by the electricity causes some electrons to behave differently. They form tiny formations like tornado which are called electron vortices and they skitter across the smooth surface of the conductor hampering its ability to carry current without interruptions. Previously, scientists tried to tie down these vortices to the surface impurities to facilitate better conduction of current.

The researchers have developed aluminum nano wires whose thickness is one-billionth of that of human hair and it is 50 to 100 times longer than its breadth. These nano wires allow only one pair of electrons at a time to zip along it rather like a car on a highway. Only one vortex row can fit into one wire. These vortices are also trapped by the numerous edges on the side of the nano wire. If the exact numbers of vortices are controlled, this will lead to future benefits like relay of information using these nano wires.