Researchers at the Technical University of Dortmund in Germany report that they have developed an ultra-strong time crystal. Their research, published in Nature Physics, provides new insights into potential applications and the physics of controlling time crystals, as well as a new way to keep them stable.
Time crystals represent a new phase of matter, first proposed by Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek in 2012. Unlike traditional crystals, which exhibit repeating patterns in space, time crystals show patterns that repeat in time. This means that even in the absence of external energy, their atomic structures undergo periodic motion, which defies the traditional laws of thermodynamics, which govern equilibrium in most systems.
The importance of the work of the team at the Technical University of Dortmund lies in the fact that it demonstrates ultra-strong time crystals in semiconductor materials. The time crystals they developed can maintain their periodic oscillations for a long period of time, about 40 minutes, which is millions of times longer than previous attempts.
The flame-like image actually represents the observed behavior of the new time crystal. Each point in the image is a piece of experimental data, and together they illustrate the cyclic motion of the spin of the inner spin of the time crystal, demonstrating its unique periodic behavior. **alex greilich/tu dortmund
Led by Dr. Alex Greilich, the team has developed a new method for stabilizing time-defying crystals. With indium gallium arsenide, the nuclear spin of the crystal stores energy, just like a battery.
So, in simple terms, by irradiating the crystal, they create a special condition in which the nuclear spin begins to oscillate through the interaction with the electron spin, effectively creating a time crystal. To use an analogy, think of the Time Crystal as a clock that ticks non-stop without the need for winding. Greilich and his team achieve this by using a special material in which tiny particles, called electrons and nuclei, communicate with each other in a very special way. This dialogue causes the clock to tick on its own, steadily and uninterrupted, even without any outside push.
This new time crystal can last for at least 40 minutes, a lifespan that is 10 million times higher than the previous record and has the potential to extend lifespan.
One of the most promising applications of time crystals is in the field of quantum computing and information processing. Time crystals could be used to create more stable qubits – the basic unit of quantum information – that are very sensitive to external interference. This stability could pave the way for more reliable quantum computers capable of solving complex problems that today's most powerful classical computers can't.
In addition, the inherent regularity of time in time crystals makes them ideal candidates for improving the accuracy of timing devices. In an era where every second counts, from GPS navigation to high-frequency financial trading, the development of time crystal-based clocks can significantly improve the accuracy and reliability of time measurements.
This new study provides a concrete example of time crystals in relatively readily available semiconductor systems, making further experimental research and application development more feasible. In addition, the robustness of time crystals to external perturbations solves one of the key challenges in this field, opening the door to practical applications where stability is critical.
In addition to enhancing quantum computing and timing techniques, time crystals could revolutionize our understanding of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. They challenge conventional wisdom about the state that matter can take and how systems behave over time, potentially leading to new theoretical frameworks and technological innovations.