Crystals are interesting objects for physicists. And maybe even more, what they call time crystals. Strange states of matter that could notably advance quantum computing.
You will also be interested
[EN VIDÉO] Formation of an atomic-scale crystal A crystal of salt is filmed during its formation at a resolution never before achieved: atomic! © 2021 American Chemical Society
For researchers, a crystal is a solid whose structure is ordered. Periodic. Understand that it repeats itself in all three dimensions of space. Pretty easy to imagine. It is by remembering the link that the theory of the relativity ofEinstein between space and time that some, Frank Wilczek in mind — Nobel prize of physics in 2004 for his work on the theory of strong interaction –, began to dream of the existence of time crystals whose patterns would repeat themselves not only in space, but also in time. Time crystals that could be very useful for the development of quantum computing.
It was in 2012. It took five years for a team to create the very first time crystal; and still five years later, much progress has been made in this area. Today, some physicists from the University of Hamburg (Germany) feature the first time crystal that spontaneously breaks the translational symmetry of time continuously.
A Bose-Einstein condensate and a high finesse optical cavity
The translational symmetry of time? The principle that the same laws of physics govern our world today as they governed yesterday. As they will also govern that of tomorrow. But much like the translational symmetry of the system breaks spontaneously when water turns to ice around its freezing point, the translational symmetry of time breaks when a time crystal forms. Under the influence of excitement.
Thanks to a Bose-Einstein condensate placed inside a high-finesse optical cavity and using a time-independent pump, the physicists were able to observe precisely the oscillations of the system predicted for a continuous breaking of the time translation symmetry. A break which is maintained even when strong disturbances intervene.
Only a few days left to take advantage of our special offer for Father’s Day!
Your father is a great science enthusiast and unusual discoveries? And if you offer him a superb scientific exploration in paper format? Benefit from -20% on the Mag Futura (special offer: €15 instead of 19 €): 220 pages, 4 key issues deciphered to understand everything about the science that will mark 2022.
Special offer: -20% reduction on the Mag Futura
Mag Futura is:
- 4 major scientific questions for 2022, from the Earth to the Moon
- 220 pages, 60 experts
- Home delivery
- Electronic gift card
Interested in what you just read?