Imagine a clock that ticks forever without batteries. Physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder have come close to that reality. They’ve created a “time crystal” using liquid crystals, the same materials found in your phone screen. This new kind of crystal is special because it can be observed directly, unlike previous experiments.
The study, led by graduate student Hanqing Zhao and professor Ivan Smalyukh, explores how these liquid crystals can keep moving in patterns that repeat over time. When light shines on the liquid crystals, they start to swirl in mesmerizing ways, visible even under the naked eye.
“Everything is born out of nothing,” Smalyukh notes. By using light, they create extraordinary movements in the liquid crystals, almost like a dance of particles.
Historically, the concept of time crystals originated in 2012 when Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek wondered if crystals could be organized in time, rather than space. A traditional crystal, like quartz, has atoms arranged in fixed patterns. Time crystals, however, would see their atoms forever moving in a cycle, much like a never-ending loop.
In 2021, scientists advanced this idea using quantum computing, showing that atoms could repeat patterns when manipulated with lasers. Now, Zhao and Smalyukh expand on this by achieving visible results using liquid crystals.
Their liquid crystal samples look like colorful patterns under a microscope, almost like psychedelic art. They maintain their movements, making them stable under changing temperatures. Smalyukh explains that the beauty of their creation is in its simplicity. “You just shine a light, and it happens.”
But why does this matter? Time crystals could have practical applications. For instance, they could be used in anti-counterfeiting measures for currency. Imagine a $100 bill that reveals a unique light pattern when illuminated—this could make forging much harder.
According to a recent survey by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 3D printing and advanced materials like these time crystals could lead to improved security features in everyday products.
Zhao and Smalyukh are excited about where this research could lead. “We’re exploring applications in all sorts of directions,” says Smalyukh.
For even more depth on time crystals, you can check out their detailed findings in the journal Nature Materials here. This field is growing rapidly, so keep an eye out—who knows what innovations might come next!
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