Physicists have made a time crystal that we can actually see

Among all the strangeness in the world of quantum, time crystals – atomic arrangements that repeat certain movements over time – are from the strangest West. But it is definitely present, and to save A more solid guideThe physicists have finally created a period of time that we can already see.

In a conversation Nature Paper and physicists at the University of Colorado Boldander presented a new crystal design: a glass cell filled with liquid crystals-rod-shaped molecules stuck to folding the strange forgetfulness between solid and liquid. They are the same things on LCD screens for smartphones. When you reach light, crystals and dance in frequent patterns are shaken by researchers that they are similar to “narcotic tiger lines”.

“The head of the study and a student of graduate studies at the University of Colorado Bulder, said in A. Release. Technically, these crystal dances can last for hours, such as “Spinning Hour forever”, the researchers added.

Unlike

Time crystals appeared for the first time in Paper 2012 Written by Nobel Prize winner Frank Witkek, who put an idea of ​​impossible crystallization that breaks many of the rules of symmetry in physics. Specifically, the temporal crystal breaks the symmetry because its atoms are not closed in a continuous network, and their positions change over time.

The physicists have since showed versions of Wilczek’s suggestion, but these crystals lasted for a long time terribly and were microscopic. Zhao and Ivan Sumaliikh, the chief author of the study and physicist at the University of Colorado Boldar, wanted to know if they could overcome these restrictions.

Find the molecular “kink”

For the new time, the “Kinks” duo used the molecules – their tendency to gather together when pressed in a certain way. Once these cells behave like full atoms, the researchers explained.

“You have these transformations, and you cannot easily remove them,” said Samalek. “They behave like particles and start interacting with each other.”

Coated team glass cells with dye molecules, and it shakes a liquid crystal solution between the layers. When they were prepared with polarized light, the dye particles were closed inside the glass, and pressed the liquid crystal. The researchers explained that this form thousands of new cells inside the crystal.

“This is the beauty of this time Crystal,” said Sumalih. “You just create some unbearable conditions. You are highlighting, and the whole thing happens.”

The team believes that repetition of crystal time can have practical uses. For example, the printed “watermark” printed on the bills can be used to determine the counterfeit. Also, the stacked layers can be a small data center.

It is rare for quantum systems visible to the naked eye. The time will only determine whether this time is up to anything – the researchers “do not want to put an end to the applications at the present time” – but even if it is not, it is still a great show of how physical theories are in strange and unexpected realistic corners.