Quantum Liquid Crystal: New state of matter found by US scientists

Researchers at Rutgers University have discovered a new quantum state of matter called the quantum liquid crystal by combining two exotic materials—Weyl semimetal and spin ice—under extremely high magnetic fields. Weyl semimetals are known for allowing electricity to flow rapidly without energy loss due to quasiparticles called Weyl fermions, while spin ice exhibits unique magnetic properties resembling hydrogen atom arrangements in ice. The interaction between these two materials at high magnetic fields led to the emergence of a novel quantum topological state, characterized by electronic anisotropy, where electrical conductivity varies depending on direction. The team observed that within a full 360-degree rotation, the material’s conductivity was lowest along six specific directions, and increasing the magnetic field caused electrons to flow in opposite directions, indicative of rotational symmetry breaking—a hallmark of new quantum states. This discovery was made possible through extensive experimental work at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and advanced theoretical modeling by Rutgers physicists, which took over two years to fully understand. The