45-Year Physics Mystery Shows a Path To Quantum Transistors

New submitter cyberspittle sends this research report from the University of Michigan: An odd, iridescent material that's puzzled physicists for decades turns out to be an exotic state of matter that could open a new path to quantum computers and other next-generation electronics. ... The researchers provide the first direct evidence that samarium hexaboride, abbreviated SmB6, is a topological insulator (abstract). Topological insulators are, to physicists, an exciting class of solids that conduct electricity like a metal across their surface, but block the flow of current like rubber through their interior. They behave in this two-faced way despite that their chemical composition is the same throughout. ... This deeper understanding of samarium hexaboride raises the possibility that engineers might one day route the flow of electric current in quantum computers like they do on silicon in conventional electronics.

Comments

Insulator, Isolator

[Anonymous Coward]

Isolator is related to resistance to flow of current - an electrical concept, and a lot of it.
Insulator is related to resistance to flow of heat.

I wonder how a whole generation of Americans get that concept wrong every time. Fortunately I live in a country where I don't see that because we don't have terms that differentiate between the two. Since it seems so impossible for Americans to get it right, suggest you move to single term - perhaps that is what is going on.

Another problematic term is insure/ensure where even highly educated Americans seem to prefer to user ensure for everything. Examples include Insure nothing goes wrong - I wonder who will be willing to provide such coverage and pay for the policy when the intended meaning was to ensure nothing goes wrong. This particular term might be attributable to Microsoft (who bough spell check from third party that had insure but not ensure available to use for years)