Time crystals are one of the most fascinating puzzles in the quantum world. They are unique arrangements of atoms that repeat motions over time. Recently, physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder showcased a time crystal that we can actually see.
In a study published in Nature Materials, researchers created a time crystal using liquid crystals. These rod-shaped molecules, which are also found in smartphone screens, dance in patterns when exposed to light. The scientists describe their movements as resembling “psychedelic tiger stripes.”
Hanqing Zhao, the lead author of the study, noted that these crystals can be seen under a microscope and even with the naked eye in certain conditions. Interestingly, their movements can last for hours, much like an “eternally spinning clock.”
Time crystals were first theorized by Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek in 2012. He proposed a type of crystal that defies traditional physics by not locking its atoms into a stable structure. Instead, their positions change over time.
While earlier attempts to create time crystals were tiny and short-lived, Zhao and senior author Ivan Smalyukh aimed to improve upon these designs.
To create their crystal, the researchers focused on the unique “kinks” of molecules, which tend to cluster under pressure. These kinks act like tiny particles that interact with each other. The scientists packed two glass cells with dye molecules, sandwiching a liquid crystal solution in between. They then used polarized light to activate the dye, which caused the liquid crystal to form thousands of new kinks.
Smalyukh explained that simply shining a light on this setup can produce fascinating results. This new time crystal may have real-world applications. For example, it could be used to create security features on currency or even serve as a compact data center.
Current research on time crystals is exciting, particularly because visible quantum systems are rare. Researchers believe the potential applications of this discovery are vast, even though they aren’t ready to define all of them yet. This experiment illustrates how theoretical physics can lead to surprising and unexpected findings in our reality.
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