Physicists develop time quasicrystal inside diamond

Physicists have announced the creation of a new type of time quasicrystal inside a diamond. This breakthrough may significantly advance quantum physics. The team believes this is the first true example of a time quasicrystal, where patterns in time are structured but do not repeat. This distinction could enhance quantum research and technologies in the future. Chong Zu, a physicist at Washington University, explained that these time quasicrystals might eventually store quantum memory for extended periods, similar to computer RAM. However, he noted that practical applications are still far away. Creating this time quasicrystal is an important first step. Time crystals were first theorized by Frank Wilczek in 2012 and were observed experimentally in 2016. Regular crystals, like diamonds and salt, have atomic structures that repeat. In contrast, time crystals have particles that move in unique cycles not driven by external forces. The researchers, led by Guanghui He and Bingtian Ye, created their time quasicrystal by altering the diamond's structure. They removed some carbon atoms to create spaces, known as nitrogen-vacancy centers, allowing electrons to move freely. By applying microwave pulses in specific patterns, they induced unique behaviors in the particles. The scientists monitored the activity for hundreds of cycles before the time quasicrystal disrupted due to its sensitivity to external factors. He remarked that they believe they have successfully created the first real time quasicrystal. The findings could offer new insights into both quantum physics and time crystals. There are potential future applications in precise measurements and quantum computing. While realizing these possibilities may take time, the research moves the field forward.