Geometry Revealed at the Heart of Quantum Matter

(University of Geneva, September 04, 2025)

Researchers at the University of Geneva, University of Salerno, and CNR-SPIN Institute, led by Dr. Giacomo Sala, Prof. Carmine Ortix, and Prof. Andrea Caviglia, have made a groundbreaking discovery in quantum materials. For the first time, they have observed the quantum metric, a theoretical geometry that shapes electron movement, at the interface between strontium titanate and lanthanum aluminate. This finding reveals how quantum metric and strong magnetic fields bend electron paths, akin to gravity's effect on light. This insight opens new avenues for designing advanced quantum electronics by understanding material properties more deeply. The team achieved this breakthrough by closely observing how electron paths distort when exposed to quantum metric and magnetic fields. Their work at the strontium titanate and lanthanum aluminate interface, known quantum materials, allows for precise characterization of optical, electronic, and transport properties. This discovery could revolutionize electronics that operate at terahertz frequencies, improve superconductivity, and enhance light-matter interactions. The University of Geneva's method not only uncovers quantum geometry but also offers a novel approach for developing future quantum devices.