World's First 'Supersolid' Created From Light

1. Recently, For the first time scientists from Italy’s National Research Council have turned light into a "supersolid".
2. This is an important breakthrough in the study of quantum physics and states of matter.

What is a Supersolid

1. A supersolid is a rare state of matter that shows properties of both a solid and a superfluid.
2. It has a solid-like structure where particles are arranged in an ordered pattern.
3. At the same time, it can flow without any friction, just like a liquid with no resistance.
4. This strange behavior is explained by the laws of quantum mechanics.
5. The idea of supersolids was first predicted in the 1960s by physicists.
6. In 2017, scientists created supersolids for the first time using ultracold Bose-Einstein Condensates (BECs).
7. Supersolids can only be created at extremely low temperatures, very close to absolute zero (0 Kelvin or -273.15°C).
8. At such temperatures, atoms lose most of their energy and behave in unusual ways, forming new states like BECs.
9. While scientists cannot reach absolute zero, they can come very close under lab conditions.

Current Research on Supersolid Light

1. In the new study, researchers used a different method that uses the properties of polariton systems.
2. Polaritons are created by combining light with special particles called excitons using strong electromagnetic forces.
3. Excitons are a type of quasiparticle, which means they are not real particles but act like particles in solids.
4. Quasiparticles are used in physics to explain complex behaviors in materials by treating them as if they were single particles.

About Light Light is the fastest thing known in the universe, traveling at a speed of 299,792.458 kilometers per second. Light shows both wave and particle behavior, depending on how it is observed. In classical physics, a particle is a tiny object with mass and energy, while a wave spreads over space and time. According to quantum mechanics, light can act like a wave or a particle at the same time, depending on the situation.

 

Why Making Supersolid from Light is Important

1. Creating a supersolid from light could help build more stable quantum bits (qSupersolidubits), which are key for quantum computers.
2. This breakthrough may lead to new optical devices and better photonic circuits that use light for high-speed data transfer.
3. It also opens up new areas of research in material science and quantum mechanics.
4. Learning how to control light at this level could change the way we use energy in the future.