Supersolid Light: Scientific advance could transform computing forever

For the first time in history, scientists managed to turn light into a Supersolida quantum state of matter that can revolutionize the superconducting industry and even quantum computing in the near future. The study was published in the renowned scientific journal Nature in early March.

The experiment was conducted with polaritonshybrid light and matter particles, in a photonic crystal specially designed by an international team of researchers led by Dimitrios Trypogeorgos e Antonio Gianfratedo CNR Nanotec (Nanotechnology Institute) in Italyin collaboration with scientists at the University of Innsbruck (Austria), University of Pavia (Italy), University of Trent (Italy), Berkeley National Laboratory (USA) and Princeton University (USA).

What is a supersoly and why is this so amazing?

Os Supersolid They are one of the most mysterious states of matter. They combine the properties of a solid – that is, an orderly and rigid structure – with the fluidity of a superfluid, which means they can flow without resistance. This makes them highly promising for various technological applications.

So far, this phenomenon had only been observed in atomic gases ultra -flows. But now, researchers have managed to create this exotic state using photons coupled to quasiparticles – An innovative technique that can facilitate the exploration of supersoly in controlled environments.

Didn’t understand anything? Let’s uncomplicate. If you have seen an ice cube, you know it is solid and rigidright?. Now imagine that this ice has a behavior magical: He maintains his solid form, but at the same time can drain like a liquidwithout resistance or friction. It seems like science fiction, but that is the idea behind a Supersolid!

Normally, the materials are or solids (with fixed structure) or liquids (with fluidity). But in the state Supersolidthey combine both behaviors at the same time: they have crystalline order, like a solid, but flow freely, like a liquid without viscosity.

Now, the most impressive: Scientists have managed to do this with light!

What are the polaritons and the role of photonic crystal?

To do this, the researchers used polaritonswhich are hybrid particles. They are born when A photon (light particle) couplves to an exciton (A kind of “hole” created when an electron is excited in a material). This marriage between light and matter generates a new type of particle, which can be manipulated in a unique way.

But where are these particles “stuck”? The answer is in photonic crystalwhich works as a kind of cage for light. It is a material designed for confine and guide photons in a controlled mannerallowing them to interact strongly with matter and create new properties.

Within this crystal, the polaritons were organized in a way that broke the spatial symmetryforming an orderly pattern, but still flowing like a quantum liquid. I.e, The light was transformed into a supersoly!

This may seem like a distant concept of current technology, but it paves the way for new forms of computing and electronics, using light in ways never seen before!

As we saw above, the experiment was conducted in a Polaritons condensed – A system where light interacts strongly with matter. Using a photonic crystal, scientists got manipulate the light so that the photons combined with electronic arousal of the structure, forming a state sorted and cohesivebut it can still flow freely.

Such an approach allowed the team to observe a typical supersolite behavior, such as the spontaneous breakdown of translational symmetrya phenomenon to confirm that light actually assumed this new state of matter. It works like this:

Step 1: Choice of the experimental platform

The researchers used a photonic crystal specially designed, which acts as a confinement for light and matter.

Step 2: Polaritons Creation

A Polaritons condensedwhich are hybrid particles formed by the interaction between photons (light) e excitons (quasiparticles of matter) inside the crystal.

Step 3: Induction of the state of condensation

Scientists cooled the system at temperatures cryogenicprobably in the a few dozen Kelvin (above absolute zero, but still extremely cold).

With this temperature reduction, the polaritons began to collectively behaveforming a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC)a prerequisite for the creation of the supersoly.

To stimulate this process, a pulsed laser was usedexciting the polaritons and allowing them to enter this special quantum state.

Step 4: Density modulation

The photonic crystal imposed a periodicity in polaritons, creating a density modulation of the condensed. This is crucial for the formation of the supersoly state.

Step 5: Observation of SuperSolyz

The team measured system properties and observed The spontaneous break of translational symmetrya signature that the light was displaying supersoly behavior.

Step 6: Coherence Analysis and Stability

Were made interferometric measurements to verify the coherence of the quantum stateconfirming that the polaritons kept a supersoly behavior without phase loss.

Step 7: Impact Study in future applications

The researchers analyzed The potential use of light supersoly em Superconductors, quantum computing and photonic devices.

The role of extreme temperatures

Os Supersolid can only exist under extreme conditions, at temperatures near the zero absoluto (-273,15°C).

In this track, the thermal agitation of the particles practically disappears, allowing the quantum effects to take control of the system. This creates an ideal environment for unusual properties, such as the fusion between solidity and fluidity, can emerge.

When there is not enough heat to cause the random movement of the particles, they organize themselves spontaneously in an orderly structure without thermal interference.

Such behavior leads to the formation of a material extremely stable and without viscositysomething that does not occur in conventional fluids, which always have resistance to movement.

A real example: Helium-4

A well -known way of this phenomenon occurs with the Helium-4. When cold at extreme temperatures, it becomes a superfluouscapable of flow without resistance and even challenge gravityrising through the walls of your container. This is because it enters a quantum state where normal fluid laws no longer apply.

Now, with the creation of supersorid of lightScientists have shown that these quantum properties are not limited to atoms.

The impact on quantum computing and hardware of the future

What makes this discovery even more exciting is its potential impact on the world of computing and electronic devices. After all, the discovery can lead to impressive advances in the Quantum computing, high efficiency superconductors and even new types of lubricants without friction for cutting -edge technology.

Supersolids can help pave the way to:

• More efficient superconductors: The absence of resistance may allow loss of electricity without loss, improving high performance computing networks.
• Quantum computing: The Super Solid State can help in the development of Most Stable QBitsincreasing the efficiency and reliability of quantum computers.
• Ultra -Rapid Memories: Supersolid -based devices could store and process information at unprecedented speeds.
• New materials for chips and circuits: The possibility of creating quantum surfaces that combine fluidity and structure paves the way for innovative architectures.

Research shows that light can be controlled in unimaginable ways, opening doors for a future where quantum computing reaches levels of efficiency previously considered impossible

Current technologies of light supersolids

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And now, what is the next step?

The research is still only in the early stages, but scientists already plan new ways of exploring and manipulating this state of matter. The possibility of manufacturing supersolid -based devices is becoming more concrete, which can lead to a new generation of quantum hardware.

If this technology is well explored, we may be facing one of the greatest heels in computing since the emergence of semiconductors. And now that light can become a SupersolidWho knows how far science can go?

Fonte: Nature