Physicists from the University of Toronto have, for the first time, experimentally proven the existence of “negative time.” Previously, this phenomenon was thought to be merely a distortion of light waves passing through matter. However, the researchers were able to observe it in a laboratory setting. The findings were detailed in a study published on ArXiv.
“It is difficult for physicists to understand the essence of our experiments. We are often incorrectly interpreted,” said Afraim Steinberg, a professor of quantum physics.
A scientific group a few years ago began investigating how light interacts with matter. They studied how photons pass through atoms, temporarily increasing their energy level. When the atoms absorb and then re-emit the photons, they briefly become excited before returning to their normal states.
Under the leadership of Daniela Angulo, the team sought to determine the duration of the atoms’ excited state. To their surprise, the devices showed a negative time measurement.
To explain this paradox, the physicists used an analogy of a car tunnel where cars leave before entering. This concept is similar to measuring carbon monoxide levels after cars have already exited the tunnel, which could theoretically result in negative values. These unusual effects had previously been dismissed as measurement errors.
All experiments took place in a basement laboratory filled with intricate wires and complex equipment. The researchers spent over two years calibrating lasers and equipment to ensure accurate results.
The experiments uphold Einstein’s theory of relativity as photons did not convey information, enabling them to surpass the light barrier. These unusual effects are explained by the laws of quantum mechanics, where particles adhere to probability theory.
In the quantum realm, photons do not adhere to traditional absorption and radiation laws, making such phenomena seem impossible from a classical physics perspective.
The discovery by Canadian physicists has caused a stir in the scientific community, with many experts reacting skeptically to the results, sparking heated debates.
In a video watched by over 250 thousand people, German physicist Sabina Hossenfelder criticized the findings, suggesting that “negative time” may simply pertain to the movement of photons in their environment and the shifting of their phases. Despite differing interpretations, the experimental data’s reliability is not being contested.
Professor Steinberg admits that the practical implications of their discovery are still uncertain. However, these experiments will aid in the exploration of quantum phenomena and fundamental properties of matter.