Mar 18: Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) have successfully created a new and unusual state of matter known as a supersolid at room temperature—marking a major breakthrough in quantum science. The findings, published in Nature Nanotechnology, overcome a long-standing challenge that previously limited such phenomena to ultra-cold environments near absolute zero.
Supersolids are a rare quantum phase that uniquely combine the properties of both solids and fluids. While they exhibit an ordered, crystal-like structure, they also flow without resistance—two characteristics traditionally considered incompatible.
A New Approach to Quantum Matter
“Our work shows that you can create and control this exotic state using light,” said Wei Bao, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at RPI and senior author of the study. “What’s especially exciting is that it happens at room temperature, in a platform that can be engineered and potentially scaled.”
The research team developed a nanoscale device by combining a high-quality perovskite crystal with a precisely engineered nanostructure designed to trap and manipulate light. When illuminated with a laser, the system generates hybrid particles known as polaritons—entities that are part light and part matter. These particles behave collectively, forming a coherent quantum fluid.
From Uniform State to Supersolid Structure
At low energy levels, polaritons condense into a single coherent state. However, as energy input increases, the system undergoes a striking transformation—self-organizing into a periodic, striped pattern while maintaining coherence.
“This is the defining feature of a supersolid—the system is both ordered and coherent at the same time,” Bao explained.
The transition is dynamic and spontaneous. Unlike conventional solids formed through cooling, this supersolid emerges from competing quantum states under increasing energy input. Each experimental run produces a slightly different pattern, highlighting the system’s inherent randomness and self-organization.
“It’s exciting that our optical measurements allow us to observe this phase transition both in the emission spectrum and in real space,” said Yilin Meng, Ph.D. student and co-lead author.
Making Quantum Phenomena More Accessible
One of the most significant aspects of the discovery is its practicality. Previous studies of supersolids required complex cryogenic systems operating near absolute zero. In contrast, the RPI platform enables observation and control of quantum phenomena at room temperature within a compact, chip-scale device.
“This gives us a new way to study how complex quantum order emerges in nonequilibrium systems,” Bao added. “It brings phenomena once limited to specialized laboratories into a more accessible and controllable setting.”
Potential for Next-Generation Technologies
Beyond its scientific importance, the discovery opens new possibilities in photonics and quantum technologies. The ability to generate coherent light across multiple modes could lead to:
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Advanced lasers with tunable spatial patterns
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Enhanced optical computing systems
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New approaches to information processing
The platform may also enable exploration of more complex quantum behaviors, including vortex dynamics and other collective phenomena.
“This is just the beginning,” Bao said. “We now have a platform where we can not only observe these exotic states, but also design and control them—unlocking exciting directions for both fundamental science and future technologies.”
The research was supported by the U.S. Army Research Office, National Science Foundation, DARPA, and the Office of Naval Research.
