A team of researchers from the University of Michigan has made a groundbreaking discovery in quantum physics, revealing oscillations within an insulating material that challenge established scientific principles. This work, conducted at the National Magnetic Field Laboratory, indicates that these quantum oscillations arise from the material’s bulk rather than its surface, representing a significant shift in understanding materials science.
Lu Li, a physicist at the University of Michigan, leads the research, which was published on November 9, 2025, in the journal Physical Review Letters. Li noted, “I would love to claim that there’s a great application, but my work keeps pushing that dream further away. What we’ve found is still really bizarre and exciting.”
Understanding Quantum Oscillations
The research focuses on a phenomenon known as quantum oscillations, which typically occur in metals when electrons act like tiny springs, responding to external magnetic fields. By adjusting the strength of these fields, scientists can influence the movement of these “electron springs.” Surprisingly, similar oscillations have been identified in insulators, materials that are not expected to conduct electricity.
Despite the implications of this discovery for potential technological applications, the question remains whether these oscillations originate from the surface or the bulk of the materials in question. A surface effect could have significant implications for topological insulators, which are already under study for advanced electronic and quantum devices.
To investigate this mystery, Li and his international team utilized the National Magnetic Field Laboratory, which houses some of the most powerful magnets worldwide. Their experiments conclusively showed that the oscillations stem from the bulk of the material, not just its surface. “At this stage, we have no idea what to do with that,” Li acknowledged. “What we have right now is experimental evidence of a remarkable phenomenon.”
A Collaborative Effort and New Insights
The study included over a dozen scientists from six institutions across the United States and Japan, with significant contributions from research fellow Kuan-Wen Chen and graduate students from the University of Michigan. Chen remarked, “For years, scientists have pursued the answer to a fundamental question about the carrier origin in this exotic insulator: Is it from the bulk or the surface, intrinsic or extrinsic? We are excited to provide clear evidence that it is bulk and intrinsic.”
Li describes this finding as indicative of a “new duality” in materials science. Historically, physics recognized a duality between light and matter, which can behave both as waves and particles. This new duality suggests that certain materials can function as both conductors and insulators. The research team studied a compound known as ytterbium boride (YbB12) under a magnetic field of 35 Tesla, which is approximately 35 times stronger than that of a typical hospital MRI machine.
“Effectively, we’re showing that this naive picture where we envisioned a surface with good conduction is completely wrong,” Li explained. “It’s the whole compound that behaves like a metal even though it’s an insulator.”
The implications of this discovery, while intriguing, raise further questions about the underlying mechanisms at play. “Confirming that the oscillations are bulk and intrinsic is exciting,” said graduate student Yuan Zhu. “We don’t yet know what kind of neutral particles are responsible for the observation. We hope our findings motivate further experiments and theoretical work.”
This project also received support from various organizations, including the Institute for Complex Adaptive Matter, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and the Japan Science and Technology Agency. As research continues, the scientific community hopes to unlock the mysteries surrounding these bizarre quantum phenomena and their potential applications in future technologies.
