Story perspectives

Scientists Unveil Time Rondeau Crystal for Quantum Tech

10/16/2025

Summary

Story summary

Technische Universität Wien (TU Wien) researchers report the discovery of a time rondeau crystal (TRC).
The time rondeau crystal orders in time rather than in space.
The TRC was realized by manipulating the spins of carbon-13 nuclei in diamond using microwave pulses.
The metastable state lasts several seconds, suggesting potential applications in quantum technologies and high-precision measurements.

History

Historical Context

In 2012, physicist Frank Wilczek proposed the concept of time crystals, which exhibit periodic motion without energy input. This idea was experimentally realized in 2016 by Christopher Monroe and Mikhail Lukin, who created discrete time crystals using trapped ions and diamond crystals, respectively. Recent advancements, including a time rondeau crystal at Technische Universität Wien, highlight the potential of time crystals in quantum computing and precision measurement.

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Story summary

Technische Universität Wien (TU Wien) researchers report the discovery of a time rondeau crystal (TRC).
The time rondeau crystal orders in time rather than in space.
The TRC was realized by manipulating the spins of carbon-13 nuclei in diamond using microwave pulses.
The metastable state lasts several seconds, suggesting potential applications in quantum technologies and high-precision measurements.

1 / 2