1/30/2017 Scientists Create A New Kind Of Matter: Time Crystals

SUBSCRIBE CARS HOW TO ADVENTURE TECH FLIGHT

Scientists Create A New Kind Of Matter: Time

Crystals
The crystals' patterns repeat not in space, but in time.
 

By Sophie Weiner Jan 28, 2017

5.5k     

Hoarfrost is a kind of ice crystal made of water.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a24957/time­crystals/ 1/8
1/30/2017 Scientists Create A New Kind Of Matter: Time Crystals

Crystals are structures in which a pattern of atoms or molecules repeats in space. Now, two
teams of researchers have figured out that crystals' repeating patterns can also exist through
time. These "time crystals," detailed in a new paper in Physical Review Letter, are an entirely
new kind of matter, one that can never reach equilibrium.
 
To create the time crystals, researchers at University of Maryland hooked together 10
ytterbium atoms and hit them with two lasers multiple times to keep them out of equilibrium.
Though the atoms did settle into a pattern, they could not reach equilibrium, meaning that the
crystals perpetually remain in motion, though they don't contain any energy. Almost all of
physics is based in studying matter that is at equilibrium, so the ability to create these non­
equilibrium crystals is a huge deal for the future of physics.

"This is a new phase of matter, period, but it is also really cool because it is one of the first
examples of non­equilibrium matter," lead researcher Norman Yao from the University of
California, Berkeley told EurekaAlert!.

The idea of time crystals—a form of matter that appears to move even at its energy­less ground
state—was first proposed by Nobel­Prize winning theoretical physicist Frank Wilczek in 2012.
Usually, if matter is in its ground state, movement should be impossible, because it contains
no energy.

The researchers say that time crystals resemble Jell­O. When you tap Jell­O, it jiggles. The
only difference is that the crystals are jiggling without using any energy, without any tap. By
definition, time crystals can never stop oscillating, no matter how little energy they contain.

Right now, it's unclear what the practical use of this discovery will be, but it's possible that
these crystals could serve a function in quantum computers.

Source: Physical Review Letters via EurekaAlert!

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a24957/time­crystals/ 2/8
1/30/2017 Scientists Create A New Kind Of Matter: Time Crystals

MORE FROM POPULAR MECHANICS:

 

NASA's Two New Space Missions Will Study Asteroids

18 Mesmerizing Photos of the Stars

More From

SCIENCE
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a24957/time­crystals/ 3/8
1/30/2017 Scientists Create A New Kind Of Matter: Time Crystals

Britain Wants Someone to Live on This Idyllic Island and New York to Build America's Largest Offshore Wind Farm
Care for its Seal Pups
 

Kill This Hydra's Multiplying Heads With Mathematics Scientists May Have Made Metallic Hydrogen, a
Potentially Game-Changing Fuel Source

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a24957/time­crystals/ 4/8
1/30/2017 Scientists Create A New Kind Of Matter: Time Crystals

Scientists Successfully Create Human-Pig Chimera At Long Last, California's Drought May Be Almost Over
Embryos

 
Solution to Riddle of the Week #13: The Spies With Riddle of the Week #13: The Spies With Stamps on Their
Stamps on Their Heads Heads

Scientists Are Planning Their Own March on Washington How Bad Is Swallowing Gum, Really?
Now

SCIENCE CRYSTALS MATTER TIME CRYSTALS

ADDING GRAPHENE TO SILLY PUTTY COULD CREATE A NEW KIND OF HEART MONITOR

SCIENTISTS CREATE SYNTHETIC YEAST CHROMOSOME (AND UNLOCK THE FUTURE OF BEER)

SCIENTISTS CAN CREATE CHICKENS WITH DINOSAUR LEGS SCIENTISTS CREATE RARE COSMIC PARTICLES

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a24957/time­crystals/ 5/8
1/30/2017 Scientists Create A New Kind Of Matter: Time Crystals

SCIENTISTS CREATE A NEW BIOFUEL FROM E. COLI

SCIENTISTS CREATE MICROGEARS THAT ARE SLIMMER THAN A HUMAN HAIR




MORE FROM SCIENCE

       

Newsletter Digital Editions About Us

Media Kit Press Room Contact Us
Community Guidelines Advertise Online About Our Ads
Customer Service Subscribe Other Hearst Subscriptions
Give a Gift Events & Promotions Giveaways
Being Green Why Did I Get This Ad? BestProducts

A PART OF HEARST DIGITAL MEDIA

©2017 Hearst Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy Your California Privacy Rights Terms of Use Site Map

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a24957/time­crystals/ 6/8
1/30/2017 Scientists Create A New Kind Of Matter: Time Crystals

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a24957/time­crystals/ 7/8
1/30/2017 Scientists Create A New Kind Of Matter: Time Crystals

http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a24957/time­crystals/ 8/8