How a Superfluid Can Simultaneously Become a Solid: Exploring Supersolidity

In our everyday experience, matter exists as either a gas, liquid, or solid. But at the frontiers of quantum mechanics, matter can defy these simple categories. One of the most striking examples is the phenomenon of supersolidity, where a material simultaneously exhibits both fluid and solid properties. A recent breakthrough by researchers at Heidelberg University demonstrates this paradoxical state with unprecedented clarity, advancing our understanding of ultracold quantum systems (Phys.org).

Superfluid simultaneously solid

Image Credit: Nature Physics / Heidelberg University

What is Supersolidity?

At ultralow temperatures, atoms can condense into a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), a state where they behave like a single quantum wave. This gives rise to a superfluid, a frictionless liquid capable of flowing indefinitely without losing energy. In rare conditions, however, this same system can develop periodic density modulations—essentially, the fluid "crystallizes" into a structure resembling a solid lattice while retaining its fluid-like wave behavior. This coexistence of fluidity and rigidity defines supersolidity, one of the most exotic states of matter.

The Breakthrough at Heidelberg

The Synthetic Quantum Systems group at Heidelberg University, led by Prof. Markus Oberthaler, has now demonstrated supersolidity in a driven quantum system. By introducing a small amount of energy into a superfluid—essentially "shaking" the system—they created conditions where two distinct sound waves propagate: one affecting the superfluid properties and another influencing the emergent crystalline order. This dual propagation is the hallmark of supersolidity.

“What is fascinating,” explains Prof. Oberthaler, “is that by simply adding a little energy to a superfluid, we can endow it with solid-like properties, while it still retains its collective quantum wave behavior.” This work marks the first observation of supersolid sound waves in a non-equilibrium system, proving that supersolidity remains robust even under external driving forces.

Quantum Mechanics Beyond Equilibrium

Most studies of supersolids have focused on equilibrium conditions, where the system is static and time-independent. The Heidelberg experiments broke new ground by demonstrating supersolid features in a dynamically driven, non-equilibrium system. This provides new insight into how quantum matter organizes itself when subjected to external perturbations—a key question in modern condensed matter physics.

Implications for Future Research

The implications of this discovery extend far beyond ultracold atom physics. Understanding supersolidity may shed light on exotic behaviors in neutron stars, where extreme conditions could stabilize similar phases. It could also inspire advances in quantum materials research and pave the way for novel applications in quantum simulation and quantum technologies.

The full findings are detailed in Nature Physics (DOI: 10.1038/s41567-025-02927-4).

🔗 Original article on Phys.org: How a superfluid simultaneously becomes a solid

This article on Quantum Server Networks was prepared with the assistance of AI technologies.

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#Superfluid #Supersolid #QuantumPhysics #MaterialsScience #CondensedMatter #HeidelbergUniversity #BoseEinsteinCondensate #QuantumMechanics #QuantumServerNetworks #NaturePhysics

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