Italian researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery. They have demonstrated that light can behave as a supersolid—a rare state of matter that combines solid-like structure with frictionless flow. Their findings, recently published in Nature, mark a major leap in quantum physics. Consequently, this breakthrough could revolutionize quantum computing and optical technology.
What is Supersolid Light?
A supersolid is a unique state of matter. It possesses both the rigidity of a solid and the ability to flow like a superfluid. Previously, scientists had only observed this state in Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). These condensates form when bosons cool to near absolute zero, causing them to behave as a single quantum entity.
However, a team led by Antonio Gianfate from CNR Nanotec and Davide Nigro from the University of Pavia has now proven that light can also enter this extraordinary state.
How Scientists “Froze” Light
Instead of lowering the temperature to freeze light, researchers applied quantum techniques. They used a semiconductor platform to manipulate photons in a way similar to how electrons behave in conductors.
To achieve this, they worked with a gallium arsenide structure embedded with microscopic ridges. Then, they fired a laser into the setup, producing hybrid light-matter particles called polaritons. As the number of photons increased, satellite condensates began to form. Notably, these condensates shared the same energy but had opposite wavenumbers, confirming the presence of a supersolid state.
“At temperatures near absolute zero, quantum effects emerge,” the researchers explained. “This is just the beginning of understanding supersolidity in light.”
Why This Discovery Matters
This breakthrough has far-reaching implications. Most importantly, supersolid light could contribute to the development of more stable quantum bits (qubits), which are essential for quantum computing.
Additionally, the ability to control light in this way could transform optical devices, photonic circuits, and fundamental quantum mechanics research. Moving forward, scientists plan to refine these techniques to create more stable and controlled supersolid light for future applications.
