Scientists have successfully created a supersolid using laser light for the first time, marking a significant breakthrough in the field of quantum physics. A small international team of researchers, including nanotechnologists, engineers, and physicists, developed a method to force laser light into becoming a supersolid.
Supersolids are a type of entity that exists only in the quantum world and have zero viscosity, making them unique in their physical properties. Previous research has shown that they can be created in extremely cold environments where quantum effects are prominent. In this new study, researchers used gallium arsenide with special ridges to create polaritons – hybrid particles that were constrained by the ridges, leading to the formation of a supersolid.
The team tested their creation to ensure it met the criteria for a supersolid and found that it exhibited both solid and fluid properties without viscosity. This achievement is significant because previous attempts to create light-based supersolids have been challenging. The researchers plan to further explore the structure of this new type of supersolid to gain a deeper understanding of its nature.
The development of light-based supersolids could provide insights into the behavior of supersolids in general and potentially make them easier to work with than those created using atoms.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-03-laser-supersolid.html