Physicists at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge have achieved a breakthrough by creating the first two-dimensional (2D) Bose glass, an unusual phase of matter that challenges conventional statistical mechanics. To produce this novel state, researchers used overlapping laser beams to generate a quasiperiodic pattern, similar to Penrose tilings.
When ultracold atoms were introduced into this structure, they arranged themselves into the Bose glass. This new phase exhibits certain glass-like properties, where particles become localized and remain confined to their positions without interacting with neighbors.
The Bose glass has significant implications for quantum computing and information storage. Since particles don’t mix with their environment in a localized system like the Bose glass, stored quantum information could be retained for much longer periods. This property can help overcome limitations of large quantum systems, which are difficult to model on current computers.
Researchers led by Professor Ulrich Schneider witnessed an unexpectedly sharp phase transition from the Bose glass to a superfluid, similar to how ice melts as the temperature rises. A superfluid is a unique state where fluid flows without resistance, offering insights into superconductivity.
The study’s findings provide new understanding of how the Bose glass forms and transitions, paving the way for exploring potential applications. However, Professor Schneider emphasizes caution in approaching future developments, emphasizing the need to answer more questions about the Bose glass before seeking practical uses.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/science/new-phase-of-matter-2d-bose-glass