Experts from Italy have pulled off a sci-fi-worthy stunt by freezing light. No, they didn’t entrap it inside an snow block, but they did alter how previously unobserved. Their research, which was published in Nature, demonstrates that light may exist in a crazy state known as a supersolid, which is both solid and liquid at the same time.
Direct scholar Antonio Gianfante from CNR Nanotec, along with Davide Nigro from the University of Pavia, said,” This is just the beginning.” This may change quantum technology forever, if their enthusiasm is any indication.
So… how do you freeze light?
When something is frozen, you typically only lower the temperature. However, lighting doesn’t adhere to those standards. The scientists otherwise created supersolids-like photons, the fundamental particles of light, through quantum trickery.
Here’s how they went about doing it:
- They constructed a unique silicon system with micro ridges.
- They injected polariton particles, a combination of light and matter, into the structure, and created polariton particles.
- A strange, wave-like structure was created when they added much light to the system, which is what supersolids are known for.
The outcome? acting in a way that was not imagined.
Why it matters and why it’s so nice.
This milestone may change the way we think about quantum computing, not just a beautiful science trick. The core of ultra-fast classical computers, packets, may become more secure as a result of supersolid light. That results in stronger AI, much encryption, and perhaps even a move closer to quantum online.
But that’s not the end. This finding may transform visual technology, enabling researchers to create novel light-based circuits and new energy-management techniques.
For the time being, Gianfante and his team are busy testing their experiments, but one thing is certain: this finding has opened the door to a mind-bending potential.
