MIT physicists have for the first time measured the geometry, or shape, of electrons in solids at the quantum level. Scientists have known how to measure energies and velocities of electrons in crystalline materials, but those systems’ wave form geometry could only be guessed at.

This allows us to understand, and perhaps manipulate, new quantum materials. They’ve already done this by using the technique to discover the mechanism behind quantum materials such as kagome metal.

This is a dramatic development that will help scientists and engineers manipulate, and create materials with unique magnetic, electrical, and physical properties.

Links:

• https://news.mit.edu/2025/physicists-measure-quantum-geometry-first-time-0113
• https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-024-02681-z