This achievement marks a significant
milestone in the field of condensed matter physics.
In a remarkable development,
researchers have successfully turned light into a supersolid for the first
time, paving the way for new insights into the unusual quantum states of
matter.
This achievement marks a significant
milestone in the field of condensed matter physics.
Dimitrios Trypogeorgos from Italy’s
National Research Council (CNR) reportedly said, “We actually made light into a
solid. That’s pretty awesome.”
This feat builds on earlier work by
fellow CNR scientist Danielle Sanvitto, who demonstrated over a decade ago that
light could behave like a fluid.
However, Trypogeorgos, Sanvitto, and
their team have taken it further by creating what they call a quantum
“supersolid.”
Light goes quantum
Supersolids are unique materials
with zero viscosity and a structure resembling conventional crystals, like
those found in table salt.
Unlike typical materials, which
behave according to familiar laws of physics, supersolids exist mainly in the
quantum realm, NewScientist reported.
Until now, such materials were only
achievable in controlled experiments involving atoms cooled to extremely low
temperatures—conditions under which quantum effects become prominent and
observable.
The recent experiment diverged from
previous methods by utilizing a semiconductor known as aluminum gallium
arsenide instead of ultracold atoms.
The researchers directed a laser at
a specifically patterned piece of the semiconductor, which featured narrow
ridges.
This interaction between the light
and the semiconductor led to the formation of hybrid particles called
polaritons.
The ridge pattern played a critical
role by constraining how these quasiparticles could move and their energy
levels, ultimately enabling the polaritons to coalesce into a supersolid state.
The team faced a significant
challenge to solidify their findings: they needed to accurately measure enough
properties of this newly formed supersolid, offering proof that it truly
exhibited characteristics of both a solid and a fluid with no viscosity.
Sanvitto highlighted the complexity
of the task, stating that a supersolid made from light had never been created
or experimentally validated before.
Supersolid out of laser beams
Alberto Bramati from Sorbonne
University in France also emphasized the importance of the study, noting that
it contributes to a broader understanding of how quantum matter can change
states through phase transition.
While the team has convincingly
shown that they produced a supersolid, Bramati acknowledged that additional
measurements and analyses are necessary to comprehend its properties fully.
Trypogeorgos expressed optimism
about future research opportunities involving light-based supersolids.
He suggested that these forms of
matter might be more manageable than those generated from atoms.
This characteristic could lead to a
deeper exploration of novel and unexpected states of matter and practical
applications in quantum technology.
As the field of quantum physics
continues to evolve, creating a light-based supersolid represents an exciting
beginning for researchers.
With much more to uncover about the
behavior of this new state of matter, scientists are keen to delve deeper into
its nuances, potentially uncovering groundbreaking applications in the coming
years.
In summary, turning light into a
solid isn’t just an impressive demonstration of scientific capability; it opens
the door to new realms of understanding in the fascinating world of quantum
mechanics.
As it stands, this groundbreaking research embodies a significant step into uncharted territory for understanding the fundamental building blocks of our universe.