Quantum Tornadoes

Electrons forming tornadoes in momentum space? This mind-bending discovery could revolutionize quantum tech, unlocking faster, low-energy electronics through a new field called orbitronics.

For the first time, researchers have confirmed that electrons form vortex-like patterns—dubbed quantum tornadoes—in momentum space. This finding reveals how electrons' orbital motion influences their behavior, laying the foundation for orbitronics. 

Unlike traditional electronics that rely on charge, orbitronics uses the electron’s orbital angular momentum, potentially slashing energy loss in devices.

Momentum space shows how electrons move in terms of energy and direction. While vortex patterns were previously seen in position space—like whirlpools or hurricanes—this new discovery proves such behavior also exists in momentum space.  By refining an advanced imaging method, researchers were able to observe these quantum vortices for the first time.

The technique, based on angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), allowed scientists to detect electrons’ orbital motion. By layering and combining images, much like medical tomography, they visualized a 3D tornado-like structure of orbital angular momentum inside the material.