Recent advances in nanoscience continue to push the boundaries of how we understand and manipulate matter at extremely small scales. A new study published by the Royal Society of Chemistry introduces an innovative technique for controlling superconducting vortices—tiny whirlpools of electrical current that form inside certain materials at very low temperatures.
Superconductors are remarkable because they allow electricity to flow with zero resistance. However, their behavior is not always perfectly smooth. Under specific conditions, magnetic fields penetrate these materials in the form of vortices. These vortices are not just curiosities—they play a crucial role in determining how superconductors function, especially in advanced technologies like quantum computing.
The study focuses on a material called FeSe, a type of multigap superconductor. Researchers developed a method using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tip to physically “pull” and manipulate vortex lines within the material. This represents a significant breakthrough, as controlling vortex motion with precision has been a long-standing challenge in condensed matter physics. Interestingly, the research also highlights how imperfections in the material—such as point defects or tiny wrinkles caused by strain—can act as traps for these vortices. These features influence how vortices move and arrange themselves, effectively reshaping the local structure of the vortex lattice. By understanding and exploiting these interactions, scientists can gain deeper insight into the physics governing superconductors.
This level of control opens exciting possibilities. For example, manipulating vortices could help researchers study complex phenomena like vortex braiding, which has implications for fault-tolerant quantum computing. More broadly, it brings scientists one step closer to designing superconducting systems with tailored properties.
In essence, this research demonstrates that even the smallest imperfections can become powerful tools in the quantum world. By turning defects into advantages, scientists are redefining how we interact with the hidden structures of matter—and paving the way for next-generation technologies.
Read the article “Nanoscale control over single vortex motion in an unconventional superconductor.”
Citation: Song, S. Y.; Hua, C.; Halasz, G. B.; Ko, W.; Yan, J.; Lawrie, B. J.; Maksymovych, P. Nanoscale control over single vortex motion in an unconventional superconductor. NANOSCALE 2026.
