The chemically controlled chains reveal an ultrastrong attraction between electrons that may help cuprate superconductors carry electrical current with no loss at relatively high temperatures.

The research could lead to a better understanding of extreme astrophysical environments and the development of compact high-energy radiation sources for science.

Known as “pair-density waves,” it may be key to understanding how superconductivity can exist at relatively high temperatures.

Just as pressing a guitar string produces a higher pitch, sending laser light through a material can shift it to higher energies and higher frequencies. Now scientists have discovered how to use this phenomenon to explore quantum materials in a new and much more detailed way.