In a groundbreaking advancement in the field of physics, researchers have succeeded in transforming light into a supersolid—a phenomenon that has never been achieved before. According to a study published in the esteemed journal Nature, a supersolid is an unusual state of matter characterized by a crystalline arrangement of its particles while simultaneously allowing them to flow freely without experiencing any friction.
Dimitris Trypogeorgos from the National Research Council (CNR) in Italy expressed his excitement, stating, “We actually made light into a solid. That’s pretty awesome.” This innovative approach diverged from earlier studies that relied on extremely cold atoms to create supersolids. Instead, Trypogeorgos and his team utilized a semiconductor known as aluminium gallium arsenide, combined with a laser, to achieve their remarkable results.
The process involved directing a high-intensity laser beam onto a specially engineered piece of gallium arsenide, which was meticulously shaped with intricate ridges. As the laser illuminated the ridges, it instigated interactions between the photons of light and the semiconductor material. This interaction led to the formation of polaritons—hybrid particles that result from coupling light with excitations in the material. The design of the ridges effectively restricted the polaritons, guiding them into a predetermined configuration that ultimately compelled them to organize into a supersolid state.
The implications of this research are profound, as such a creation blurs the boundaries between traditional phases of matter, showcasing the potential for novel applications in areas like quantum computing and photonics. The formation of this light-based supersolid not only expands our understanding of material states but also paves the way for innovative technologies that leverage these unique properties.
