A Möbius strip of single crystals.

Abstract

A crystalline ribbon of niobium and selenium can be coaxed into a novel topology. A Mobius strip is produced by twisting a ribbon of material through 180° and joining its two ends, resulting in a distinct, one-sided topology1,2,3,4. Here we describe a Mobius structure formed by crystals of a compound of niobium and selenium, NbSe3. It is surprising that a crystalline ribbon should adopt this exotic topology in view of its inherent rigidity, which would be expected to prevent it from either bending or twisting.