Scientists Turn Light into a Supersolid

A supersolid is a unique state of matter that combines the properties of a solid and superfluid, allowing atoms to flow without friction while maintaining a rigid structure.

Table of Contents

Context: For the first time, scientists have successfully turned light into a supersolid.

What is a Supersolid?

A supersolid is a state of matter where particles are arranged in a crystalline solid structure but can also flow without viscosity, similar to a liquid.
- Viscosity refers to a fluid’s internal resistance to movement.
- In a normal solid, particles remain fixed in place.
- In a normal liquid, particles move freely but experience some friction.
- Supersolids are unique because they flow like a liquid while maintaining a structured, solid-like arrangement.
Key Features of Supersolids:
- Solid-like structure – Particles arrange in an orderly lattice.
- Liquid-like motion – Particles can flow without friction (zero viscosity).
- Quantum behaviour – Exists only under extreme conditions due to quantum effects.
To form a supersolid, materials must be cooled close to absolute zero:
- Absolute zero = -459.67°F (-273.15°C).
- At this temperature, heat energy is almost entirely removed, allowing quantum effects to dominate.
Most liquids, like water or honey, have friction when they move. But some special materials, like supersolids, move without friction.
- Eg. Superfluid Helium: When helium is cooled to near absolute zero, it stops acting like a normal liquid. It can flow without resistance and even climb up the walls of a container.

Also Read: Quantum Dots

How Did Scientists Turn Light into a Supersolid?

While supersolids have been made from atomic gases before, this research represents the first successful attempt to create a supersolid from light.
Scientists used a type of “quasiparticle“ called a polariton, which is formed when:
- Light (photons) and matter (excitons) interact strongly with each other.
- This creates a hybrid particle that behaves like both.

Procedure

Scientists trapped light inside a special material and made it interact with matter.
This created polaritons, which act like a mixture of light and matter.
Polaritons can behave like atoms—and when cooled down, they form a supersolid state.

Why Are Supersolids Important?

Fundamental Physics Insights:
- Supersolids allow scientists to study quantum mechanics in action.
- They reveal how particles interact at an atomic level without temperature interference.
Potential Technological Applications:
- Quantum Computing – Could enable ultra-fast, frictionless data transfer.
- Superconductors – Zero-resistance electrical systems.
- Frictionless Lubricants – Could reduce energy loss in machines.