High School What Makes Samarium Hexaboride a Paradoxical Material?

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SUMMARY

Samarium Hexaboride (SmB6) is a unique crystal that demonstrates both conductive properties at room temperature and insulating properties when cooled below -223 degrees Celsius. This dual behavior categorizes it as a topological insulator, a subject of extensive research since its initial discovery. The material's paradoxical nature continues to intrigue physicists, prompting ongoing investigations into its applications and underlying mechanisms. Recent studies have expanded the understanding of SmB6, highlighting its significance in condensed matter physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of topological insulators
  • Familiarity with cryogenic temperature effects
  • Knowledge of electrical conductivity principles
  • Basic concepts of condensed matter physics
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  • Research the latest findings on topological insulators
  • Explore the properties and applications of Samarium Hexaboride
  • Learn about cryogenic techniques in material science
  • Investigate the implications of SmB6 in quantum computing
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Physicists, materials scientists, and researchers interested in the properties of topological insulators and their applications in advanced technologies.

Robert Sanchez
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This is from 2015. There has been quite a few more work being done in this area of topological insulator since then.

Zz.
 
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Thread 'Unexpected irregular reflection signal from a high-finesse cavity'

Thread 'Unexpected irregular reflection signal from a high-finesse cavity'

I am observing an irregular, aperiodic noise pattern in the reflection signal of a high-finesse optical cavity (finesse ≈ 20,000). The cavity is normally operated using a standard Pound–Drever–Hall (PDH) locking configuration, where an EOM provides phase modulation. The signals shown in the attached figures were recorded with the modulation turned off. Under these conditions, when scanning the laser frequency across a cavity resonance, I expected to observe a simple reflection dip. Instead...
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