Overview
- The peer-reviewed study in Nature Physics on Jan. 14 reports an emergent topological semimetal in CeRu4Sn6.
- TU Wien detected a spontaneous anomalous Hall effect below 1 kelvin with no external magnetic field, providing direct evidence of topological behavior.
- The topological signal is strongest at maximal quantum fluctuations and disappears when fluctuations are reduced by pressure or magnetic fields.
- Rice University researchers developed a theoretical framework showing that strong electron interactions at a quantum critical point can generate topological states.
- The authors outline a search strategy targeting quantum‑critical materials and acknowledge support from AFOSR, NSF, the Welch Foundation and a Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship.