vortices

Under certain conditions, these vortices moved more than 1,000 times more easily along the steps than across them.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

Using scanning tunneling microscopy, a technique capable of imaging surfaces at the atomic level, the researchers confirmed that the steps ran parallel to one another and directly observed vortices positioned along them.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

Scientists in Japan have discovered that tiny steps just one atom high can act like microscopic railroad tracks, guiding the movement of quantum vortices inside an ultrathin superconductor.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

In effect, the steps acted like tiny rails, creating preferred pathways for quantum vortices to follow.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

Adam’s irises were light blue with dark radial lines leading into the vortices of his pupils.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck