Researchers Connect Time Crystals to Boost Quantum Computing Power

A groundbreaking advancement in quantum technology has emerged from researchers at Aalto University in Finland. They have successfully connected a time crystal to an external system for the first time, potentially revolutionizing quantum computing and sensing capabilities. This innovative approach could significantly enhance the efficiency of quantum memory systems and high-precision measurement devices.

Frank Wilczek, the 2012 Nobel Laureate in Physics, initially proposed the concept of time crystals, which are defined by their ability to maintain a perpetual motion state without external energy input. Experimental verification of time crystals occurred in 2016, but the recent study, led by Academy Research Fellow Jere Mäkinen, marks a pivotal development in their application.

The research team detailed their findings in a study published in Nature Communications on October 16, 2023. They transformed a time crystal into an optomechanical system, creating new possibilities for technologies such as ultra-accurate sensors and advanced memory systems for quantum computers.

Connecting Time Crystals to External Systems

Mäkinen explained the significance of the achievement: “Perpetual motion is possible in the quantum realm as long as it is not disturbed by external energy input, such as by observing it. We connected a time crystal to an external system and demonstrated, for the first time, that we could adjust the crystal’s properties using this method.”

To achieve this connection, the researchers utilized radio waves to introduce magnons—quasiparticles that behave like individual particles—into a superfluid of Helium-3 cooled to near absolute zero. When the radio waves were turned off, the magnons coalesced into a time crystal that sustained motion for an unprecedented duration, lasting up to 10^8 cycles or several minutes before its energy diminished.

During this fading process, the time crystal interacted with a nearby mechanical oscillator. The nature of this interaction was influenced by the oscillator’s frequency and amplitude, showcasing a novel link between the time crystal and classical mechanics.

Implications for Quantum Computing and Sensing

The implications of this research for quantum computing are profound. Mäkinen noted, “Time crystals last for orders of magnitude longer than the quantum systems currently used in quantum computing. In the best-case scenario, they could power the memory systems of quantum computers, significantly improving their performance.”

Time crystals may also function as frequency combs, which are critical in high-sensitivity measurement devices. By enhancing frequency stability and reducing energy loss in mechanical oscillators, this research could pave the way for more advanced quantum technologies.

The facilities utilized for this research included the Low Temperature Laboratory, part of OtaNano, Finland’s national research infrastructure dedicated to nano-, micro-, and quantum technologies. The computational resources were provided by the Aalto Science-IT project, further emphasizing the collaborative nature of this advancement.

As the field of quantum computing continues to evolve, the connection of time crystals to external systems represents a significant step forward, unlocking new pathways for innovation in technology and science.