Researchers of the PGFSC lead study that opens a new frontier in supersolid physics
The research conducted by Professor Alejandro Mendoza-Coto and student Vinicius Zampronio, both members of the postgraduate program at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), marks a significant advancement in the study of condensed matter. In collaboration with Italian scientists, they explored the properties of a “super-quasicrystal,” a phase of matter combining the characteristics of supersolids—materials that simultaneously exhibit rigidity and superfluidity—and quasicrystals, structures that are ordered but lack periodicity. Published in Physical Review Letters, this work not only expands the frontiers of basic physics but also offers promising insights into emerging technologies.
The discovery was illustrated through an artistic metaphor: imagine dysprosium atoms, known for their strong magnetic properties, arranged like eggs in a carton formed by a quasicrystalline lattice created with lasers. This structure exhibits unique properties, such as the “Bose glass” state, where atoms are trapped in specific positions due to the lattice’s strength, allowing superfluidity in localized regions. According to Mendoza-Coto, this behavior demonstrates how complex quantum states can emerge from interactions in aperiodic environments, paving the way for new methods of controlling matter.
Although theoretical, the research is experimentally feasible with current technologies. Mendoza-Coto and Zampronio highlight that the results may contribute to the development of innovative materials and advancements in quantum computing, a promising field that requires highly controlled states of matter. This contribution underscores the importance of condensed matter physics in understanding and manipulating new quantum states, cementing UFSC’s role as a center of excellence in scientific research.
