Scientists have developed the first two-dimensional system of “time-crystal” bodies in experiments that seem to bend the laws of physics. Time crystals have long been believed to be improbable because they are made up of atoms in constant motion. The discovery, published today (June 2, 2022) in the journal, shows that not only are time crystals created, but they have the potential to be transformed into useful machines.
Time crystals are different from ordinary crystals – such as metals or stones – made up of atoms arranged in a repetitive pattern in space.The first one named in 2012 by Frank Wilczek who won the Nobel Laureate and was recognized in 2016, time crystals show a strange consistency of durability, repeating movement over time despite the exclusion of external. Their atoms are constantly moving, turning, or moving first on one side, then the other.
EPSRC partner Dr. SamuliAutti, lead author from the Lancaster University Department of Mathematical Sciences, explained: “Everyone knows that endless moving machines are impossible. However, in quantum physics continuous movement is fine as long as we keep our eyes closed. By digging deep into the gap, we can create crystals of time. ”
“It turns out that combining the two together works well, even if the crystals of time do not exist in the first place. And we know that they are also at room temperature. ”The “two-level system” is the basis for building a quantum computer. Time crystals can be used to create quantum devices operating at room temperature.
An international team of researchers from the University of Lancaster, Royal Holloway London, Landau Institute, and Aalto University in Helsinki have detected time crystals using Helium-3 a rare helium isotope with a single missing neutron. The test was performed at Aalto University.Cool superfluid helium-3 to about ten thousand degrees from absolute zero (0.0001K or -273.15 ° C). The researchers created two time crystals inside the superfluid, and brought them to touch. Scientists then observed two interacting crystals interacting as defined by quantum physics.
Source Journal Reference:S. Autti, P. J. Heikkinen, J. Nissinen, J. T. Mäkinen, G. E. Volovik, V. V. Zavyalov& V. B. Eltsov“Nonlinear two-level dynamics of quantum time crystals”, Nature Communications (2022) .DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30783-w
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