Scientists directly measure quantum metric of electrons in a 3D topological insulator

A team led by the University of Geneva directly observed the quantum metric — a geometric property of electron quantum states — in a 3D topological insulator made of antimony and tellurium. The effect could be tuned electrically, with results published in Nature Materials.

• Measurements were made on a topological insulator of antimony and tellurium
• The quantum metric could be tuned by electrical control
• The study was published in Nature Materials on May 22, 2026
• The quantum metric had previously been measured only in a strontium titanate material