Google has been tinkering with one they've dubbed Sycamore and its biggest success to date was massively outperforming a conventional supercomputer in 2019 albeit in one task that was tailor made to play to its strengths.

谷歌一直在修補一個被他們稱為梧桐的計算機，它迄今為止最大的成功是在2019年大規模超越了傳統的超級計算機，儘管有一項任務是為發揮其優勢而量身定做的。

Now though, google along with collaborating researchers have announced that they've used their quantum computer to create a newly defined phase of matter.

不過現在，谷歌與合作的研究人員一起宣佈，他們已經用他們的量子計算機創造了一個新定義的物質階段。

A time crystal, Oh yeah, ordinary crystals like diamonds have their atoms arranged in repeating patterns in space.

一個時間晶體，哦，是的，像鑽石這樣的普通晶體，其原子在空間中以重複的模式排列。

In 2012, physicist and Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek wondered if an object could exist with a crystal like pattern but instead of the pattern repeating physically, it repeated through time.

2012年，物理學家和諾貝爾獎得主弗蘭克-威爾切克（Frank Wilczek）想知道，一個物體是否可以存在類似水晶的圖案，但該圖案不是物理上的重複，而是通過時間重複。

We'll check, wondered if an object could change and then revert back to its original state, flipping back and forth in regular intervals indefinitely with no energy input.

我們會檢查，想知道一個物體是否可以改變，然後恢復到原來的狀態，在沒有能量輸入的情況下無限期地來回翻轉。

A phase of matter locked in a self sustained cycle of change.

物質的一個階段被鎖定在一個自我維持的變化循環中。

It's a cool idea.

這是個很酷的想法。

There's just one problem.

只有一個問題。

A well checking in time crystal basically achieves perpetual motion and that is a fundamental no, no a 2014 proof showed that this iteration of a time crystal was impossible but physicists wouldn't be deterred.

一個檢查好的時間晶體基本上實現了永動機，這是一個基本的不，不，2014年的一個證明表明，這種時間晶體的迭代是不可能的，但物理學家不會被嚇倒。

And so they expanded the definition of what a time crystal could be a so called flow.

於是他們擴大了時間晶體的定義，可以是所謂的流動。

Okay, time crystal would flip back and forth like a well checking in one, but only if it's being driven by an external source.

好吧，時間晶體會像檢查井一樣來回翻轉，但只有在它被外部源驅動的情況下。

Physicists have simulated flow K time crystals and computers imagining a row of particles with spins that flip up and down periodically when hit with a laser beam.

物理學家已經模擬了流動的K時間晶體和計算機，想象出一排具有自旋的粒子，當被激光束擊中時，它們會週期性地上下翻轉。

This time crystal needs the lasers cycling lightwaves to flip, but it wouldn't absorb any net energy from the laser to do so.

這時晶體需要激光器的循環光波來翻轉，但它不會從激光器吸收任何淨能量來翻轉。

Now simulating a time crystal is one thing but creating one is another.

現在，模擬時間晶體是一件事，但創造一個是另一件事。

Actually.

實際上。

If we're talking about quantum computers then simulating a time crystal and creating one could actually be the same thing.

如果我們談論的是量子計算機，那麼模擬一個時間晶體和創造一個時間晶體實際上是同一件事。

See quantum computers use controllable quantum particles called cubits to perform their calculations.

請看量子計算機使用稱為立方體的可控量子粒子來進行計算。

Using quantum particles means the system can simulate quantum phenomena much better than a classical computer can, which is what Google demonstrated back in 2019.

使用量子粒子意味著該系統可以比經典計算機更好地模擬量子現象，這就是谷歌在2019年所展示的。

After that though, the sycamore computer needed a new challenge.

不過在那之後，梧桐樹電腦需要一個新的挑戰。

It was still too error prone for applications like ultra secure encryption.

對於像超安全加密這樣的應用，它仍然太容易出錯。

But researchers outside google proposed sycamores, cubits were ideal for creating a time crystal.

但谷歌以外的研究人員提出梧桐樹，立方體是創造時間晶體的理想選擇。

They joined forces and set to work.

他們聯合起來，開始工作。

The team used 20 cubits made of superconducting aluminum, each with two possible energy states which can represent up or down spins.

該團隊使用了20個由超導鋁製成的立方體，每個立方體都有兩種可能的能量狀態，可以代表上旋或下旋。

The researchers set their spins up or down arbitrarily and then randomize the interaction strength between the cubits so they would interfere with each other and lock themselves into their assigned orientation.

研究人員任意設置它們的旋轉，然後隨機化方塊之間的相互作用強度，這樣它們就會相互干擾，並將自己鎖定在指定的方向上。

Would researchers hit the cubits with microwave pulses, their spins oscillated back and forth, but the system didn't absorb or dissipate any net energy and the system's entropy remained unchanged.

研究人員用微波脈衝擊中立方體，它們的自旋來回振盪，但系統沒有吸收或消散任何淨能量，系統的熵保持不變。

To paraphrase one researcher, they evaded the second law of thermodynamics at least for the milliseconds that the crystal lasted.

用一位研究人員的話說，至少在晶體持續的幾毫秒內，他們逃避了熱力學第二定律。

So what's next for quantum computer made?

那麼，量子計算機制造的下一步是什麼？

Time crystals?

時間晶體？

Well, maybe time crystals could be used as data storage for quantum computers.

好吧，也許時間晶體可以被用作量子計算機的數據存儲。

Or maybe they could be used as a benchmark test that demonstrates a quantum computers level of control.

或者，他們可以被用作一個基準測試，展示量子計算機的控制水準。

Or maybe they're just a strange novelty with applications that can only be teased out with further study.

或者它們只是一種奇怪的新事物，其應用只有通過進一步的研究才能弄清楚。

If you want to know more about how sycamore achieved quantum supremacy, check out my video on that here.

如果你想知道更多關於梧桐樹如何取得量子優勢的資訊，請看我的相關視頻。

So what do you think about time crystals promising future technology or obvious Clickbait title?

那麼，你對時間晶體有前途的未來技術或明顯的Clickbait標題有何看法？

Let us know in the comments.

請在評論中告訴我們。

Be sure to subscribe to see more keywords in your news feed.

請務必訂閱，以便在你的新聞提要中看到更多的關鍵詞。

Thanks for watching.

謝謝你的觀看。

And we'll see you next time on seeker.

我們下次在 "尋求者 "節目中再見。