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^[2:1].

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^[2:2]. 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^[1:1].

The discovery has potential applications in:

• Quantum computing memory storage
• High-precision timekeeping
• Advanced quantum sensors
• Signal processing^[3:1]