‘Time crystals’ Work Around Laws of Physics to Offer New Era of Quantum Computing

Connecting two “Time crystals” in a helium-3 superfluid at one tenth of a degree above absolute zero might be a big step toward a new type of quantum computer. Time crystals are strange atom formations whose existence was first predicted in 2012, with experimental verification coming a few years later. In a typical crystal, such as a diamond or salt, the atoms are organized in a lattice or comparable framework with a regularly repeating spatial pattern. When the atoms are at their ground state – their lowest potential energy level — they cease jiggling, just like most materials.

In contrast, Time crystals are made up of atoms that repeat in time rather than space, oscillating back and forth or spinning in their ground state. They can keep this motion going indefinitely without requiring any energy input or losing any energy in the process. Entropy is a notion that Time crystals can resist.

The second rule of thermodynamics defines entropy as the rate at which every system becomes increasingly disorganised over time. Consider the planets’ orbits around the sun as an example. For the sake of simplicity, we’ll envision them moving in a clockwork fashion, returning to the same location at the same time in their separate circles.

Other planets’ or passing stars’ gravity can tug and pull on the planets, causing minor adjustments in their orbits. As a result, planet orbits are intrinsically unpredictable. A slight alteration to one of them might have far-reaching consequences for all of them. The entropy of the system grows as the system gets more chaotic over time.