New research has provided new insight into the superconductivity of magnesium diboride (MgB2).  Using the high power microscope, magnesium diboride was discovered to be an unusual superconductor.
It is important to better understand the origin of superconductivity.  Superconductivity is the ability of some materials to conduct electricity without losing energy.  Superconductivity will help scientists in improving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as the efficiency of electric power transmission.  With its use a smaller, more powerful electronic devices can be built.

Scientists frequently presume that superconductivity arises from electrons coupling in pairs.  Although this is the case for majority of superconductors, yet it has not been shown   how electrons play a role in the superconductivity in magnesium diboride. Scientists took a closer look at the electronic structure of the magnesium chloride with the use of modern apparatus like the high power microscope.

Since the discovery of superconductivity in MgB2 scientists have made extensive calculations involving interactions between electrons or between electron holes, which are empty locations that could be packed by electrons.   One of the most common theories revealed that superconductivity in MgB2arises from interactions between holes. It should likewise be noted that since MgB2is made of alternating planes of boron and magnesium atoms aligned parallel to one another, these holes are likely to interact more easily within the planes than between adjacent planes.
As compared to other superconductors, MgB2has a comparatively simple structure.  It is hoped by the scientists to gain more insight into superconductivity by centering their attention on a simple compound rather than on more complex ones.

To test their hypothesis about magnesium diboride, the scientists examined extensively the electron and hole structure of the substance with the use of two complementary techniques using high power tools.  The first technique involved an apparatus called x-ray absorption spectroscopy wherein the scientists utilized the very intense x-rays generated by the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at Brookhaven and a unique NIST x-ray detector. Once the x-rays entered the sample, the electrons contained inside the sample absorbed the x-rays.  They are then ejected out of their original positions. As these ejected electrons fall into the holes they indicated the number as well as the density of these holes in the magnesium diboride sample.

The second technique referred to as electron energy loss spectroscopy, utilizes the state-of-the-art or high power transmission electron microscopes (TEMs). As compared to the other optical microscopes that use visible light, the high power electron microscope projects electrons toward the sample. As observed, these electrons transfer some of their energy to electrons in the sample.  This caused then to bump around the sample atoms and show the positions of electronic holes in the MgB2 sample.
The two methods were employed for the reason that they complement each other very well and lead to a very precise determination of the distribution and number of electron holes in magnesium diboride.
The results proved the theoretical predictions by showing that interactions between holes in the boron planes do occur in MgB2.  With this it was shown that superconductivity stems from such interactions. As we they gain additional understanding of the magnesium diboride properties at the atomic level, scientists strongly believe that in the near future they will be able to relate their findings to macroscopic properties such as superconductivity and probably explain the origin of superconductivity in general.