---
title: "Physicists Create New Phase of Matter With “Extra” Time Dimension"
description: "Quantum physicists have effectively opened a portal to a new time dimension while creating a new topological phase of quantum matter."
date: "2022-07-27"
modified: "2022-07-27"
authors:
  - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré"
    job_title: "Senior Staff Writer"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/new-phase-matter-extra-time-dimension"
categories:
  - "Physics"
  - "Science & Energy"
tags:
  - "dimensions"
  - "quantum computing"
  - "quantum physics"
  - "the digest"
---

# Physicists Create New Phase of Matter With “Extra” Time Dimension

![Quantum physicists have effectively opened a portal to a new time dimension while creating a new topological phase of quantum matter.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/new-phase-matter-extra-time-dimension.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Getty Images\</em\>*

## New Dimension

Physicists say they've created a new phase of matter with an "extra" time dimension, according to a [recently published study in the journal *Nature*](<https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04853-4>).

The researchers didn't set out with the goal of opening a "portal to an extra time dimension," as [*Scientific American* described the experiment](<https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-phase-of-matter-opens-portal-to-extra-time-dimension/>). They simply sought to create a new topological phase of quantum matter, which is essentially a form of quantum matter defined by the dynamic motions of its constituents, rather than their static arrangements.

But once they got to work, the technique they developed for creating such a phase — [*without* relying on extreme temperatures](<https://www.vice.com/en/article/93abqp/quantum-scientists-create-new-phase-of-matter-with-two-time-dimensions>) — ended up creating a new time dimension, they say.

"It is very exciting to see this unusual phase of matter realized in an actual experiment, especially because the mathematical description is based on a theoretical 'extra' time dimension," Philipp Dumitrescu, study co-author and research fellow at the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Quantum Physics, told the magazine.

## Speakin' Lasers

In order to successfully create the topological phase, and thus the "extra" dimension, the scientists targeted a quantum computer's quantum bits — or qubits — with a quasi-periodic laser pulse based on the [Fibonacci sequence](<https://www.livescience.com/37470-fibonacci-sequence.html>). Think [quasicrystal](<https://futurism.com/first-nuclear-bomb-forged-strange-object>).

"The Fibonacci sequence is a non-repeating but also not totally random sequence," study co-author Andrew Potter, a quantum physicist at the University of British Columbia, [told *Vice*](<https://www.vice.com/en/article/93abqp/quantum-scientists-create-new-phase-of-matter-with-two-time-dimensions>). "Which effectively lets us realize two independent time-dimensions in the system."

The effect only lasted for a few moments, but the researchers say it's still a significant breakthrough. Fascinatingly, they believe that their findings could be a major step towards developing a complex information storage system for [quantum computing](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/quantum-computers-ridiculous-hype>) with limited error — although, as the scientists themselves admit, that's still a long way off.

"We have this direct, tantalizing application, but we need to find a way to hook it into the calculations," Dumitrescu [said in a press release](<https://scitechdaily.com/physicists-create-mind-bending-new-phase-of-matter-that-acts-like-it-has-two-time-dimensions/>). "That's an open problem we're working on."

**READ MORE:** *[New Phase of Matter Opens Portal to Extra Time Dimension](<https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-phase-of-matter-opens-portal-to-extra-time-dimension>)* \[*Scientific American*\]

**More on quantum computers:** [*UK Military Wants to Install Quantum Computers in Tanks for Some Reason*](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/uk-military-quantum-computers-tanks>)

## Author
At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride."

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/mharrisondupre.bsky.social>)