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Quantum physics

A solid more fluid than a fluid

Nature volume 543, pages 47–48 (2017)Cite this article

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A supersolid is a paradoxical and elusive state of matter that has been sought for more than 60 years. Two experiments have now observed its characteristic signatures in ultracold quantum matter. See Letters p.87 & p.91

If you poke a solid object, the whole object moves rigidly. But if you poke your finger into a cup of water, some of the liquid is displaced. We learn this fundamental distinction as children: a solid is rigid and retains its shape, whereas a liquid conforms to its surroundings. On pages 87 and 91, Léonard et al.1 and Li et al.2 report results from experiments carried out at ultracold (nanokelvin-scale) temperatures. The authors observe characteristic signatures of a supersolid — a state of matter that marries solid and liquid properties in spectacular fashion.

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Figure 1: Characteristics of a supersolid.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kaden R. A. Hazzard is in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Rice Center for Quantum Materials, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77005, USA.,

    Kaden R. A. Hazzard

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  1. Kaden R. A. Hazzard
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Correspondence to Kaden R. A. Hazzard.

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Hazzard, K. A solid more fluid than a fluid. Nature 543, 47–48 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/543047a

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