In a groundbreaking study published on March 5, 2025, researchers have successfully transformed light into a "supersolid," a unique state of matter that exhibits properties of both solids and liquids simultaneously.
A supersolid maintains a rigid, crystalline structure like a solid but flows without viscosity, akin to a superfluid. This means it can move without energy loss while retaining an ordered form. Previously, supersolids had only been realized using ultracold atomic gases. This new research marks the first instance of achieving supersolidity by coupling light with matter.
The experiment involved directing laser light at a semiconductor platform composed of aluminum gallium arsenide. This interaction produced quasiparticles known as polaritons, which combine properties of both light and matter. By manipulating these polaritons, the researchers were able to induce a supersolid state, effectively "freezing" light into a solid form that still exhibited liquid-like flow.
This advancement opens new avenues for understanding quantum phenomena and could have significant implications for future technologies, including quantum computing and precision sensing.
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