Magnetic Mystery Behind Lanthanum Aluminate and Strontium Titanate Combine Computer Processors with Memory Chips

Scientists have theorized how two non-conductive and non-magnetic materials, Lanthanum Aluminate and Strontium Titanate, become conductive and magnetic when combined together. This phenomenon can lead to the development of computer memory with data processing capabilities.

Scientist believe that because of a magnetic phenomenon called "local moments", lanthanum aluminate and strontium titanate, become conductive and magnetic when placed together. With these two properties, these two semiconductors have the ability to process binary data (like a computer processor) and also have the ability to store them (like a memory chip) in one device; a computer processor that can store data.

A semiconductor is a material that has conductive properties midway between a conductor like metal and a non-conductor such as glass. Because of this, depending on the flow of electrons in the semiconductor, it can be either on (1) where electrons can flow freely or off (0) when electrons cannot pass through. Data that is streamed through these semiconductors can be permanently stored on magnetic devices.

Possible Variable Fine Structure Constant Tested On A White Dwarf Star

Scientists are using the Hubble Space Telescope and a White Dwarf Star (G191-B2B) to test if the Fine Structure Constant, or alpha (α) is not really constant.

The Fine Structure Constant is defined as the charge of an electron squared over the product of Planck's constant multiplied by the speed of light. The resulting value is 1/137 or 7.2973525698(24)×10⁻³.

This constant shows the probability of an electron absorbing a photon or simply the strength of the electromagnetic force exerted in an interaction. It relates to three important aspects of physics, electromagnetism, relativity, and quantum mechanics (through Planck's constant).

The importance of the Fine Structure Constant (α) relates to the existence of life. If the value of α is not as it is, life or intelligent life as it is now, would not exist. A 4% change in the value of α would mean that stellar fusion would not create carbon, making carbon based life impossible. If α were > 0.1, stellar fusion would be impossible and no place in the universe would be warm enough for life as we know it.

Using a white dwarf star with a gravity 30,000 times more than the Earth, scientists are measuring the strength of the electromagnetic force with the help of the Hubble Space Telescope. They will compare that value to that measured on Earth to determine if the Fine Structure Constant is really not constant and that it varies across the Universe.