Quantum Tornadoes: A Groundbreaking Discovery

Scientists have long known that electrons can form vortices in quantum materials. However, a recent breakthrough has revealed something even more remarkable—electrons creating tornado-like structures in momentum space. This groundbreaking discovery, now confirmed experimentally, was led by Dr. Maximilian Ünzelmann, a group leader at ct.qmat – Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter at the Universities of Würzburg and Dresden.

Figure 1. Hidden Quantum Tornadoes: A Discovery That Could Revolutionize Electronics.

This advancement represents a major leap in quantum materials research. Researchers believe that the vortex-like behavior of electrons in momentum space could pave the way for new quantum technologies, particularly in orbitronics. Unlike traditional electronics, which rely on an electron’s charge to transmit information, orbitronics harnesses electrons’ orbital motion—a property that could significantly reduce energy loss in electronic devices. Figure 1 shows Hidden Quantum Tornadoes: A Discovery That Could Revolutionize Electronics.

Momentum Space vs. Position Space

In physics, momentum space describes the movement of electrons based on their energy and direction rather than their precise location. In contrast, position space—the realm of everyday physics—is where we observe familiar vortex-like patterns, such as hurricanes or water spirals. Until now, even in quantum materials, researchers had only observed quantum vortices in position space.

A few years ago, a research team at ct.qmat made headlines by capturing the first-ever three-dimensional image of a vortex-like magnetic field inside a quantum material’s position space (Nature Nanotechnology 17 (2022) 250–255). Now, with the discovery of quantum tornadoes in momentum space, scientists have unveiled an entirely new dimension of electron behavior—bringing us one step closer to next-generation quantum technologies.

Theory Confirmed: A Long-Awaited Breakthrough

Eight years ago, Roderich Moessner theorized that a quantum tornado could also form in momentum space. At the time, the ct.qmat co-founder described the phenomenon as a "smoke ring" because, like smoke rings, it consists of vortices. However, until now, no one knew how to measure them.

Breakthrough experiments have now confirmed that these quantum vortices are created by orbital angular momentum—the circular motion of electrons around atomic nuclei. “When we first saw signs that the predicted quantum vortices actually existed and could be measured, we immediately reached out to our Dresden colleague and launched a joint project,” recalls Dr. Maximilian Ünzelmann.

Quantum Tornado Discovered by Refining a Standard Method

To detect the quantum tornado in momentum space, the Würzburg team enhanced a well-known technique called ARPES (angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy).

“ARPES is a fundamental tool in experimental solid-state physics. It involves shining light on a material sample, extracting electrons, and measuring their energy and exit angle. This gives us a direct look at a material’s electronic structure in momentum space,” explains Ünzelmann. “By cleverly adapting this method, we were able to measure orbital angular momentum. I’ve been working with this approach since my dissertation.”

Quantum Tomography: Seeing the Invisible

ARPES is based on the photoelectric effect, first described by Albert Einstein and commonly taught in high school physics. In 2021, Dr. Maximilian Ünzelmann refined this method, earning international recognition for detecting orbital monopoles in tantalum arsenide. Now, by integrating a form of quantum tomography, the team has taken the technique even further—leading to the discovery of the quantum tornado, another major milestone.

"We analyzed the sample layer by layer, similar to how medical tomography works. By stitching together individual images, we reconstructed the three-dimensional structure of the orbital angular momentum and confirmed that electrons form vortices in momentum space," Ünzelmann explains.

Würzburg-Dresden Network: A Global Collaboration

"The experimental detection of the quantum tornado is a testament to ct.qmat’s team spirit," says Matthias Vojta, Professor of Theoretical Solid-State Physics at TU Dresden and ct.qmat’s Dresden spokesperson. "With our strong physics hubs in Würzburg and Dresden, we seamlessly integrate theory and experiment. Our network also fosters teamwork between leading experts and early-career scientists—an approach that drives our research into topological quantum materials. And, of course, almost every physics project today is a global effort—this one included."

The tantalum arsenide sample was grown in the United States and analyzed at PETRA III, a major international research facility at the German Electron Synchrotron (DESY) in Hamburg. The project also benefited from global collaboration—a scientist from China contributed to the theoretical modeling, while a researcher from Norway played a key role in the experiments.

Looking ahead, the ct.qmat team is now investigating whether tantalum arsenide could be used in the development of future orbital quantum components.

Source: SciTECHDaily

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2025),"Scientists Discover Hidden Quantum Tornadoes with Potential to Transform Electronics", AnaTechMaz, pp. 218