Italian researchers have succeeded a blow worthy of science fiction – the light of light. No, they did not trample it in an ice cube, but they made it behave in an never seen before. Their work, published in Nature, proves that light can exist in a bizarre state of matter known as Supersolide – something that is both solid and fluid at the same time.
“This is only the beginning,” said the principal researcher Antonio Gianfante de Nanotec CNRAlongside Davide Nigro from the University of Pavia. And if their excitement is something, it could change the situation in quantum science.
So … how do you do lighting?
Normally, when you freeze something, you drop the temperature. But the light does not play by these rules. Instead, scientists used quantum cunning to obtain photons – the fundamental particles of light – to behave like supersolids.
Here’s how they did:
- They built a special semiconductor platform with microscopic ridges.
- They pulled a laser in the structure, generating
polariton particles (a hybrid of light and matter). - When they have packed enough photons in the system, they formed a strange and wave -shaped structure – the signing of a
supersolid .
The result? Light behaving in a way that has never thought possible.
Why it’s important – and why it’s super cool
This breakthrough is not only a neat scientific tip – it could revolutionize quantum calculation. Supersolid light could lead to more stable qubits, the backbone of ultra-rapid quantum computers. It means a more powerful AI, better encryption, and maybe even one more step Quantum.
But that’s not all. This discovery could transform optical technology, helping scientists Light -based circuits and new ways to handle energy.
For the moment, Gianfante and his team are busy refining their experiences, but one thing is certain – this discovery has turned on the path to a folding future.