Andi's Writeup

Physicists at Washington University in St. Louis created the first-ever "time quasicrystal" - a new phase of matter that breaks conventional time symmetry patterns[^1][2]. The breakthrough, published in Physical Review X in March 2025, demonstrates how a quantum system can spontaneously organize its motion into complex patterns that repeat in time but lack standard periodicity[^2].

The research team, led by Chong Zu, created their time quasicrystal inside a diamond by:

• Using nitrogen beams to create spaces for electrons in the diamond structure
• Applying microwave pulses to initiate rhythmic patterns
• Achieving hundreds of stable oscillation cycles before breakdown[^3]

Unlike regular time crystals which tick with one rhythm, time quasicrystals produce multiple incommensurate frequencies - similar to playing multiple musical notes simultaneously rather than a single note[^{2]. The system demonstrated robust "subharmonic" responses at these multiple frequencies, proving it was a true new phase of matter rather than just an engineered pattern[}1].

The discovery has potential applications in:

• Quantum computing memory storage
• High-precision timekeeping
• Advanced quantum sensors
• Signal processing[^3]

[^1]: Physical Review X - Experimental Realization of Discrete Time Quasi-Crystals

[^2]: Physics Magazine - A New Type of Time Crystal

[^3]: Tech Explorist - WashU physicists created a new phase of matter in the center of a diamond