Future Technologies

New technologies are the driving force behind an innovative society. At PSI, researchers are laying the necessary foundations for this. They are looking for previously unknown ways of processing and storing data, making technologies more sustainable and efficient or developing new processes to delve ever deeper into the micro and nano worlds. Their findings form the basis for new applications - be it in medicine, information technology, energy generation and storage - or for new production processes in industry.

Quantum computers are regarded as one of the key technologies of the 21st century. Their potential performance makes them interesting not only for industry and business. They also open up previously unimagined possibilities for research with its ever-increasing volumes of data. Because quantum computers make it possible to carry out certain calculations in materials science, chemistry and physics that are impossible today and will probably also be impossible in the future with conventional computers. At the "Quantum Computing Hub", PSI is working with ETH Zurich to advance the two leading technologies in this field.

phonons
•Energy and Climate

Oxygen Isotope Fingerprints of Electron-Phonon Coupling in SrVO3 Films

Quantum research Materials research

Transition metals exemplify correlated electronic systems, where electron-electron (𝑒−𝑒) scattering often results in a quadratic temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity, 𝜌⁡(𝑇) ∝𝑇2. In SrVO3 (SVO), a material with a 𝑉−3⁢d1 electronic configuration that ensures metallicity through narrow 3⁢𝑑−t2⁢𝑔 bands, a 𝜌⁡(𝑇) ∝𝑇2 dependence has been reported. While traditionally attributed to 𝑒−𝑒 scattering, recent studies suggest that electron-phonon (𝑒-ph) interactions may play a significant role. To unravel the influence of phonon interactions on carrier transport in SVO, we present a comparative study of the transport and optical properties of SVO films with partial substitution of 16O ions by their heavier isotope, 18O. Our findings reveal that 18O substitution induces a change in the slope of 𝑑⁢𝜌⁡(𝑇)/𝑑⁢𝑇 at nominal fixed carrier density, highlighting the dominant contribution of 𝑒-ph coupling over 𝑒−𝑒 scattering in determining 𝜌⁡(𝑇). Furthermore, it is found that the 18O substitution softens the phonon lattice and promotes a reduction in plasma frequency and an increase in the carrier effective mass. These results indicate that the 𝑒-ph coupling strength increases upon 18O substitution. Our findings suggest that 𝑒-ph interactions may surpass 𝑒−𝑒 scattering in governing the resistivity of metallic ionic lattices. ...

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Modelling and simulating complex systems in a matter of seconds, analysing extensive experimental datasets to identify specific patterns or discover new properties: data science and AI form the backbone of forward-looking research and development.

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Innovative processes and new materials

From quantum computers and more powerful electricity storage devices or conductors to high-precision medical applications, we need ever more advanced processes and technologies. New materials are of crucial importance for their development. In order to develop and investigate innovative processes and new materials, researchers utilise PSI's worldwide unique large research facilities.

Atome unter Druck
•Future Technologies
•8 min

Atoms under pressure

Quantum research

Zurab Guguchia puts pressure on matter – and in doing so, creates exciting quantum effects such as superconductivity at more easily achievable temperatures.

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PSI promotes Switzerland as a centre of innovation. Its cutting-edge research forms the basis for pioneering industrial development. PSI actively bridges the gap between basic research and practice and paves the way for future technologies to find their way into industrial application.

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