Physicists Unveil Visible Time Crystal with Unique Properties

Physicists at the University of Colorado Boulder have made a significant breakthrough by creating a time crystal that can be directly observed. In a study published in Nature Materials, researchers introduced a novel design involving a glass cell filled with liquid crystals, which are rod-shaped molecules found in devices such as smartphone LCD screens. When exposed to light, these crystals exhibit movements that resemble “psychedelic tiger stripes,” providing clear visual evidence of their existence.

Lead author Hanqing Zhao, a graduate student at the university, stated, “They can be observed directly under a microscope and even, under special conditions, by the naked eye.” The researchers noted that these crystalline movements can persist for hours, likening them to an “eternally spinning clock.”

Understanding Time Crystals

Time crystals are a fascinating concept that first emerged in a 2012 paper by Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek. His proposal described a crystal that defies conventional symmetry rules in physics. Unlike traditional crystals, time crystals do not maintain a static structure; instead, their atomic arrangements change over time. While earlier versions of time crystals were created, they were often microscopic and had a brief lifespan.

Zhao and senior author Ivan Smalyukh, a physicist at the university, aimed to overcome these limitations. They discovered that by manipulating the molecular “kinks” that form when the liquid crystals are compressed, they could create a more stable structure. These kinks behave similarly to individual particles and begin to interact with one another.

Innovative Experimental Design

To construct their time crystal, the researchers coated two glass cells with dye molecules and placed a liquid crystal solution between the layers. By applying polarized light, they prompted the dye molecules to churn within the glass, which squeezed the liquid crystal and generated thousands of new kinks. Smalyukh remarked, “That’s the beauty of this time crystal. You just create some conditions that aren’t that special. You shine a light, and the whole thing happens.”

The implications of this new time crystal could extend beyond mere scientific curiosity. The team believes it may have potential applications, such as creating a “time watermark” for currency to help prevent counterfeiting. Additionally, they envision stacked layers of the crystal functioning as a compact data center.

While the full range of applications remains to be explored, the visibility of this time crystal represents a rare achievement in quantum physics. The researchers are cautious about predicting its future uses, stating that they “don’t want to put a limit on the applications right now.” Even so, this discovery underscores the intriguing ways in which physical theories manifest in unexpected areas of reality.