QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Aug 2026) – Creating futuristic quantum technology might actually follow the exact same physical rules as swinging pendulums.
Physicists from the University of the Philippines Diliman discovered that time crystals form according to universal rules, whether in a simple mechanical setup or a complex quantum environment.
What is a time crystal?
Most people are familiar with standard states of matter like solids, liquids, and gases. In a regular crystal like salt or diamond, atoms arrange themselves in a repeating grid across space.
A time crystal works differently. Instead of repeating in space, its components move in a steady, repeating rhythm over time. It is a newer phase of matter that researchers are actively exploring.
Universal rules across different systems
Researchers Roy Jara Jr. and Dr. Jayson Cosme from the UP Diliman College of Science National Institute of Physics wanted to test if simple rules govern how these exotic structures form.
Their study showed that universality, a concept where vastly different physical systems exhibit identical behavior during major phase shifts, applies directly to time crystals.
The team compared two distinct setups: a classical network of interconnected pendulums and a quantum network where quantum spins interact with light. Surprisingly, both systems followed identical rules during formation. The delay before the time crystal emerges and the number of structural flaws created depend on the exact same mathematical patterns.
The blacksmithing effect in quantum tech
To explain how defects form, Dr. Cosme pointed to traditional blacksmithing. Rapidly plunging red-hot steel into cold water traps internal stresses, leaving behind structural defects that make the metal brittle. Blacksmiths carefully control the cooling rate to keep the metal strong.
A similar pattern occurs with time crystals through the Kibble-Zurek mechanism. Forcing a system to form a time crystal too quickly creates unwanted defects that disrupt its synchronized rhythm.
Why this discovery matters for future tech
This finding offers important guidance for building future quantum computers and ultra-precise sensors. These systems require stable networks of time crystals working together without errors.
Because formation delays and defect rates follow predictable laws, scientists now know they cannot rush time crystal creation. Careful control of creation speed will be vital for scaling up practical quantum networks.
The complete research paper, titled “Universality of dissipative discrete time crystal formation,” is published in Physical Review B.
