Researchers at the University of Michigan have made a groundbreaking discovery in quantum physics, revealing that quantum oscillations can occur within insulating materials. This finding, announced on November 9, 2025, challenges long-held beliefs about the nature of materials and suggests a new duality in their behavior. The research, conducted at the National Magnetic Field Laboratory, indicates that these oscillations originate from the bulk of the material rather than just its surface.
The study, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, involves a collaborative effort among scientists from various institutions in the United States and Japan. Lead researcher Lu Li, a physicist specializing in advanced materials, acknowledges the unusual nature of their findings. “Sometimes, what we uncover is so strange that the value lies purely in revealing how bizarre the universe can be,” Li stated.
Understanding Quantum Oscillations in Insulators
The focus of the research was on quantum oscillations, a phenomenon typically observed in metals where electrons behave like tiny springs, responding to magnetic fields. By adjusting the strength of these fields, researchers can influence the movement of these “electron springs.” Recent investigations have identified similar oscillations in insulators, materials that are not expected to conduct electricity or heat.
The critical question arose: do these oscillations originate from the material’s surface or its interior? If the effect were surface-based, it could open avenues for technological advancements, particularly in topological insulators, which conduct electricity on their surfaces while remaining insulating internally.
To explore this mystery, Li and his team utilized the powerful magnets at the National Magnetic Field Laboratory, capable of generating magnetic fields up to 35 Tesla, significantly stronger than those found in standard MRI machines. Their experiments provided clear evidence that the oscillations arise from the bulk of the material.
Implications of the Discovery: A New Duality in Materials Science
Li describes the findings as indicative of a “new duality” in materials science, where certain compounds can exhibit both metallic and insulating properties. This concept echoes the historical duality in physics, where light and matter behave as both waves and particles—a realization that has led to significant technological advancements.
The research team focused on a compound called ytterbium boride (YbB12), demonstrating that this material can act like a metal under extreme magnetic conditions, despite being classified as an insulator. “What we’ve shown is that the traditional view of a surface with good conductivity is incorrect. The entire compound exhibits metallic behavior,” Li explained.
While the metal-like behavior of these materials is observable only under specific conditions, the discovery provokes further inquiry into the quantum behavior of materials. Graduate student Yuan Zhu expressed excitement over the implications: “We don’t yet know what kind of neutral particles are responsible for this observation, but we hope our findings will spur additional experiments and theoretical investigations.”
The study was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and various organizations including the Institute for Complex Adaptive Matter and the Japan Science and Technology Agency.
As researchers continue to delve deeper into the quantum realm, this discovery may not only redefine material science but also inspire new technologies that leverage the unique properties of these materials.
