New Phase of Matter in Superconductor

High temperature superconductor spills secrets: a new phase of matter. 

In most superconductors, electrons (represented by white specks in the image) pair off to conduct zero-resistance electricity. A copper-based superconductor, however, has many of its electrons unpaired. Instead, they form an elusive order as shown by the orange peaks and blue troughs. 

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Journalists wishing to reproduce this image for news stories about related research should include the following image credit: Greg Stewart, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.