In the relentless pursuit of shrinking electronic noise, a fundamental obstacle in advancing communication, sensing, and quantum technologies, researchers at UCLA have unveiled a groundbreaking approach that may redefine the limits of how quietly electricity can flow. This new frontier leverages the enigmatic properties of quasi-one-dimensional (quasi-1D) materials, manifesting an unprecedented ultra-low electric noise state in nanowires meticulously engineered from tantalum- and niobium-based compounds. Their discovery, detailed in a cutting-edge publication in Nature Communications, turns conventional wisdom on its head, demonstrating that noise can diminish as current density rises—an extraordinary finding with profound implications for the future of electronics and quantum computing.
Electronic noise, particularly low-frequency flicker noise, is a notorious adversary in electronic devices, where fluctuating currents degrade signal integrity and sensor sensitivity. At the microscopic level, this noise arises from the random scattering of electrons by lattice vibrations—phonons—and inherent material defects. Despite decades of efforts to minimize such noise through improved fabrication and material purity, the fundamental mechanisms have remained stubbornly resistant to elimination. This latest research injects fresh optimism by unveiling a quantum mechanical regime in which electrons and phonons move in remarkable harmony, synchronizing their dynamics and effectively silencing the disruptive noise contributions that historically plagued conductive materials.
The heart of this noise-mitigation mechanism lies in a phenomenon known as charge density waves (CDWs), a quantum state where electrons condense into periodic patterns along certain crystallographic axes of low-dimensional materials. In essence, electrons travel collectively, riding synchronized phonon waves across the nanowire, analogous to surfers catching an ocean swell rather than being tossed by turbulent waters. This coordinated electron-phonon coupling marks a departure from the traditional picture of incoherent electron motion interrupted by thermal vibrations, offering a fresh paradigm where quantum coherence in strongly correlated materials reduces electronic noise beyond classical limits.
This December 2025 study reveals that tantalum-based nanowires exhibit progressively reduced electrical noise as current increases, eventually reaching levels beneath the threshold of practical measurement at cryogenic temperatures near -100 °F. Even more striking is the observation that niobium-based analogues maintain this suppressed noise state at room temperature and above, heralding practical real-world applications without the need for elaborate cooling systems. Such behavior challenges established models that anticipated noise revival at elevated currents or temperatures, prompting the theorists to develop revised frameworks that incorporate the full complexity of electron-phonon correlations in quasi-1D CDW systems.
The experimental fabrication of these nanowires demanded atomic precision in synthesizing compounds with unidirectional strong atomic bonding, achieved in sophisticated facilities like the UCLA NanoLab. Microscopic imaging confirms the intricate architecture, where metal electrodes interface with the slender ribbons—thousands fold thinner than a human hair—allowing high-resolution probing of their electrical responses. Performing electrical characterization necessitated suppression of extrinsic noise and the use of novel spectroscopic techniques, such as Brillouin–Mandelstam Inelastic Light Scattering, to unravel the interplay between phonons and electron density fluctuations, crucial to establishing the collective transport mechanism.
Quantum mechanics plays a pivotal role in enabling this coherent transport regime. Unlike conventional conduction where electron trajectories deviate randomly due to phonon collisions, in strongly correlated quasi-1D materials, electrons form spatially periodic wave packets synchronized with phonon modes. The result is a collective current with drastically reduced statistical fluctuations, roughly analogous to a regimented troop marching in unison rather than individual soldiers wandering independently. Exploiting this regime not only advances fundamental understanding but also opens avenues for engineering ultra-low-noise conductors critical for next-generation electronics.
The implications of this discovery stretch far beyond academic curiosity. Ultra-low-noise materials could revolutionize sensor technologies by enhancing their ability to detect faint signals, ranging from biomedical diagnostics to environmental monitoring. In the quantum computing arena, the fidelity of quantum bits depends critically on the suppression of electrical noise to maintain quantum coherence and reduce errors. Achieving such noise reduction at or near room temperature, as exhibited in the niobium-based nanowires, could significantly relax the stringent cooling requirements that currently constrain quantum device architectures, accelerating their practical deployment.
This research also prompts the reevaluation of existing theoretical models. Previously, strongly correlated materials were often oversimplified, glossing over the nuanced interactions that could give rise to exotic properties like the observed noise decrease. The UCLA team’s findings emphasize the need for comprehensive quantum models embracing electron-phonon entanglement and collective charge behavior, which may reveal hidden phases and unexplored functionalities in materials science. This paradigm shift holds promise for discovering new materials tailored specifically to capitalize on these quantum coherence effects.
Looking toward the future, the UCLA team envisions leveraging strongly correlated materials as integrated circuit conductors, possibly transforming the conventional electronic landscape defined by silicon and copper interconnects. The potential to manipulate noise characteristics quantum-mechanically opens the possibility of fundamentally novel circuit architectures that transcend classical limitations, particularly relevant as computational demands surge with the rise of artificial intelligence and data-intensive applications.
Collaboration between multiple institutions underpinned this interdisciplinary effort, combining expertise in materials synthesis, characterization, theoretical modeling, and device engineering. The study was supported by prominent funding agencies, including the U.S. Office of Naval Research and the European Research Council, underscoring the strategic importance of mastering ultra-low-noise technologies for national and global technological leadership.
While tantalum- and niobium-based quasi-1D nanowires form the current benchmark, the search is ongoing for materials exhibiting even stronger charge density wave coherence and noise suppression at ambient conditions. The endeavor to identify and harness such materials paves the way toward a quieter, brighter future where electronic signals can be processed and transmitted with unprecedented fidelity, propelling the next wave of innovation in computing, communications, and sensor technology.
In summary, this breakthrough elucidates a remarkable new state of collective electronic conduction in quasi-1D charge density wave nanowires, where electron-phonon synchronization governs noise reduction in a manner previously unseen. The work not only advances fundamental quantum materials science but also points the way toward transformative applications that could redefine the performance envelope of modern electronics and quantum devices.
Subject of Research: Noise reduction in electronic conduction through quasi-1D charge density wave nanowires
Article Title: A quieter state of charge and ultra-low-noise of the collective current in quasi-1D charge-density-wave nanowires
News Publication Date: 31-Dec-2025
Web References:
- UCLA Samueli School of Engineering: https://samueli.ucla.edu
- Balandin Group at UCLA: https://balandin-group.ucla.edu
- California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA (CNSI): https://cnsi.ucla.edu
- Nature Communications article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-67567-x
Image Credits: Balandin Lab/UCLA
Keywords: Semiconductors, Quantum computing, Electrical conductors, Strongly correlated materials, Charge density waves, Nanowires, Electron-phonon interaction, Noise reduction, Quantum transport
