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Rapid Repetition Rate Fluctuation Measurement of Soliton Crystals in a Microresonator
Published on: December 15, 2021
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Space-time crystals from particle-like topological solitons
Hanqing Zhao1,2, Ivan I Smalyukh3,4,5,6
1Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
Nature Materials
|September 4, 2025
Summary
Researchers report the first continuous space-time crystal, a novel state of matter breaking both space and time symmetries. This discovery in liquid crystals, driven by light, opens doors for new optical technologies.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Non-equilibrium Physics
- Liquid Crystal Science
Background:
- Time crystals break time-translation symmetry, but spatially mesoscale space-time crystals remain elusive.
- Existing time crystals typically break symmetry discretely or continuously, but not simultaneously with spatial symmetry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the first experimental observation of a continuous space-time crystal.
- To investigate the formation and properties of space-time crystals in nematic liquid crystals.
- To explore the potential technological applications of these novel states of matter.
Main Methods:
- Experimental realization of a continuous space-time crystal in a nematic liquid crystal.
- Driving the system with ambient-power, constant-intensity unstructured light.
- Numerical simulations of four-dimensional configurations for comparison with experimental findings.
Main Results:
- Observation of a continuous space-time crystal breaking both space and time symmetries.
- Identification of a space-time crystallization phase formed by particle-like topological solitons.
- Demonstration of robustness against temporal perturbations and spatiotemporal dislocations, indicating stability.
Conclusions:
- The observed phenomenon meets established criteria for time-crystalline order.
- The stability of the space-time crystals is attributed to their topological nature and interactions between solitonic building blocks.
- Potential applications include optical devices, photonic generators, telecommunications, and anti-counterfeiting.
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