DORTMUND, GERMANY – Quantum physics researchers at TU Dortmund University have achieved a groundbreaking advancement by creating a time crystal with a significantly extended lifespan, marking a major step forward in the field of quantum physics. The breakthrough validates the theoretical prediction of time crystals made by Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek in 2012, demonstrating periodic behavior in a system without periodic external influence.
The team at TU Dortmund University successfully produced a highly durable time crystal that lived millions of times longer than previously achieved in experiments. This confirmation of a theoretical concept proposed by Wilczek has been published in Nature Physics.
Time crystals are periodic arrangements of atoms over large length scales, similar to crystals in space. In 2012, physicist Frank Wilczek postulated the existence of crystals in time, theorizing that one of their physical properties would spontaneously begin to change periodically in time, even without corresponding periodic interference.
While the concept of time crystals has been the subject of scientific debate for years, the recent breakthrough at TU Dortmund University has demonstrated the longest lifespan for a time crystal to date. The crystal, made of indium gallium arsenide, achieved a lifespan of at least 40 minutes, ten million times longer than previously demonstrated.
The experiments with the time crystal have revealed the potential to vary its period over wide ranges by systematically changing the experimental conditions. Additionally, the scientists have been able to analyze the chaotic behavior of such systems, marking a significant achievement in time crystal research.
The findings of this research, published in Nature Physics, provide new insights into the behavior and potential applications of time crystals, showcasing the innovative work being done in the field of quantum physics.