Technical Details
US scientists have discovered the mechanism of diamond's transition to a superconducting state. The properties of diamonds have been known for a long time, but the details of the process remained unclear. New knowledge allows not only to observe diamond superconductivity but also to give it the characteristics that will be in demand in quantum computing and hybrid electronics of the future.
Context and Background
The superconducting state of diamond was achieved in the process of controlled boron doping or HBDD (heavily boron-doped diamond), in which boron atoms were introduced into the diamond crystal lattice and transformed the initially dielectric material into a conductive one, and at low temperatures — into a superconducting one.
Industry Impact
In addition to the already known advantages of diamond for electronics — hardness, high thermal conductivity, transparency for many ranges of light, and the presence of defects with quantum properties, the acquisition of superconductivity will make this material revolutionary for quantum and classical computing.