'Time Crystals' Could Exist

Okay, so I'm supposed to have an opinion about this thing I just read, but that would be impossible because I just tried really, really hard to read this real article from the University of California at Santa Barbara and 'Microsoft Station Q' and damned if I could even tell if what I was reading was English.

I'm posting for those in the audience who may have an interest in physics, or whatever other discipline this may be alluding to, perhaps time travelers stuck here and needing this information to get out.

The comments are hilarious even though the article is impenetrable.

Time Crystals

Physicists from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and Microsoft Station Q (a Microsoft research lab located on the UCSB campus) have demonstrated that it may be possible for time crystals to physically exist. The physicists have focused on the implication of time crystals that seems most surprising, which is that time crystals are predicted to spontaneously break a fundamental symmetry called "time-translation symmetry." To understand what this means, the researchers explain what spontaneous symmetry breaking is. If time crystals really do spontaneously break time-translation symmetry, then the laws of nature that govern time crystals wouldn't change with time, but the time crystals themselves would change over time due to their ground-state motion, spontaneously breaking the symmetry.

And it keeps going like that for quite some time. Good luck and don't give yourself a headache.

a reply to: SentientCentenarian

So they're finally breaking time translation symmetry huh?

That's the coolest thing I have no idea what it means I've ever heard!

originally posted by: NarcolepticBuddha
a reply to: SentientCentenarian

So they're finally breaking time translation symmetry huh?

That's the coolest thing I have no idea what it means I've ever heard!

I thought the exact same thing! (Putting idea aside in case I need a new avatar some day)

a reply to: SentientCentenarian

I tried reading it the best I could. I've now got a headache.

I've got no idea what they're on about. We need someone to break it down into simpler English lol.

Does that mean unicorns could exist, too?

a reply to: SentientCentenarian

What do you mean? It's all right here:

The most obvious definition of time-translation symmetry breaking (TTSB) would be that the expectation values of observables are time-dependent in thermal equilibrium. However, this is clearly impossible

Clearly impossible. Clearly.

a reply to: SentientCentenarian

It sounds like a theoretical particle residing at true absolute zero with the ability to leave and return to that state. At true absolute zero a particle would emit nothing for us to detect it, but would also remain a particle.

Interesting!

a reply to: theantediluvian

Yeah, clearly.

a reply to: Vector99

But, but. Absolute zero cannot be reached. Not in this universe, anyway.
Maybe one of them Mandala ones.

a reply to: Phage

I know.

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: Vector99

But, but. Absolute zero cannot be reached. Not in this universe, anyway.

MAYBE that's why the Mandela Effect exists?

Mind.
Blown.

a reply to: TerryDon79
Heh,
I slipped in my edit, just before your post.

originally posted by: Phage
a reply to: TerryDon79
Heh,
I slipped in my edit, just before your post.

In the ME universe you got it. This one you were late.

a reply to: Phage

Now my post is worthless.

Thanks

originally posted by: Vector99
a reply to: SentientCentenarian

It sounds like a theoretical particle residing at true absolute zero with the ability to leave and return to that state. At true absolute zero a particle would emit nothing for us to detect it, but would also remain a particle.

Interesting!

Spock? Is that you?

Oh dear. Are you sure? I don't remember anything about absolute zero in there. I don't want to go back and look for it, either. It's like being a Star Trek Red Shirt, reading that. You just know you're the next to get whacked if you linger too long. Somewhat like being the only one in a poker game who doesn't know who the patsy is...

I will revisit periodically just to read the comments though.

a reply to: TerryDon79

Nah. It's all good.
People will understand.

Hey, everyone! Terry had the same idea I did!

a reply to: Phage

Now you're just making me seem like I need confirmation and needy and stuff.

Not helping phage. Not helping at all.

a reply to: TerryDon79
Can't win for losin'.
*sigh*

a reply to: TerryDon79

All you really need to know:

a reply to: SentientCentenarian

It to me sounded like a description of a particle at absolute zero, not enough energy to move, but somehow breaking that plain by exhibiting periodic movement. Would be nice to know what particles are imagined to exhibit such properties, maybe they theorize unknown particles that easily could exist.