Posted on 03/07/2022 8:50:12 AM PST by BenLurkin
To make a space crystal, you need the immense pressures of the Earth’s surface bearing down on minerals and magma. But to make a time crystal, you need esoteric equations and ridiculously precise lasers.
At least, that’s how physicists shaped the first self-standing time crystal in a lab last year. Now, they’ve turned into an even more tangible object by creating a time crystal from common elements that can withstand room temperature.
If you’re wondering what a time crystal is (outside of pulp science fiction), most physicists also had the same question until pretty recently. It’s a form of matter that wasn’t proposed until 2012, and wasn’t even seen in rudimentary stages until 2016.
To wrap your head around this wonky chapter of quantum mechanics, think of a crystalized structure like a piece of salt or a diamond. The atoms deep within those objects are arranged in repeating, predictable patterns in space. For instance, if you take an ice cube from your freezer and zoom into the tiniest scales, you’ll see the hydrogen and oxygen atoms of the water molecules forming a mosaic of tiny hexagons. (This is why snowflakes tend to be hexagonal.)
As a result, physicists also call these formations “space crystals.” But just as the three axes of space form different dimensions, time also makes a dimension. Physicists began to wonder if they could find a crystal—or something like it—whose atoms formed repeating patterns in time.
(Excerpt) Read more at popsci.com ...
That would be an awesome “head shop” poster.
It’s like professors in physics have become grifters.
Or maybe it’s just the or offices.
This is one of my grammatical pet peeves.
Something cannot be "usually" and "only" at the same time (just like its opposite "usually always"). It either usually exists at cryogenic temperatures or it only exists at cryogenic temperatures. "Usually" negates the chance of "only" from happening.
-PJ
I used to make them really easy!..............
You’re usually the only person who would notice...................
-PJ
Thanks for the grammar lesson! Mine isn’t the greatest at times.
You explanation is easy to understand. Even I get it!🙂👍
“Time crystals” are interesting from a thought experiment point of view. But, since time is inextricably linked to space... any “time crystal” would also have a space coordinate tied to its energy state.
IOW... Attempting to create a looping energy state is cool, but the “crystal” formed would go “back in time” to where it was when the loop originated if it were truly replaying “time”. We’re not only spinning around on our globe, but also around our Sun, which is also spinning around the galaxy, ect... This is not a trivial number.
I get the whole localized effects, perfect conditions, etc for making math work and all... Or am I really missing something here?
Usually that would be right, only in the instance it...
My FRIend, I don’t even begin to understand this stuff.
“Time also makes a dimension”
Reminds me of the Movie “Interstellar”.
Digging in to the actual data is where I get my real questions answered.
Well... some times.
I always maybe never sort of agree with that
That matter will for a repeating pattern in time... a pattern of you running to the bathroom, that is.
-PJ
Maybe a time Crystal is inside people’s stoves, making us get that darn feeling we left the stove on every time we leave the house.
I know, right?
-PJ
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