Spooky Behavior in Embedded time Crystals

Title: Observation of Spooky Behavior in Embedded Time Crystals: Evidence of Quantum Entanglement
Author: Dr. John L. McGary
Institution: Ludlow Research Institute, Department of Theoretical Sciences
Date: April 1, 2019

Abstract
We report the unexpected observation of correlated behavior between two identical time crystals embedded in larger crystal structures. During an experiment on one crystal, designed to study its temporal oscillations under magnetic field modulation, a second crystal—positioned in a detection array for a separate experiment—exhibited identical changes in its oscillation patterns. This "spooky behavior" suggests quantum entanglement between the crystals, despite their spatial separation of 10 meters. These findings, if confirmed, could have profound implications for quantum communication and information processing.

Introduction
Time crystals, a phase of matter first theorized by Wilczek (2012) and experimentally realized by Zhang et al. (2017), exhibit periodic oscillations in time without external energy input, breaking time-translation symmetry.[^1][^2] Their stability and quantum properties make them promising candidates for applications in quantum computing and sensing. Recent advances have enabled the creation of time crystals in solid-state systems, such as yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO), a high-temperature superconductor.[^3] In this study, we aimed to investigate the response of a YBCO time crystal to magnetic field modulation. However, an unexpected phenomenon emerged: a second, identical time crystal, prepared for a different experiment, mirrored the changes induced in the first, suggesting a non-local correlation consistent with quantum entanglement.

Experimental Setup
Two identical time crystals were fabricated using YBCO, each a hexagonal prism measuring 1 cm in height and 0.5 cm in diameter. The crystals were grown under identical conditions in a molecular beam epitaxy chamber, ensuring structural and compositional uniformity. Both crystals were programmed to oscillate at a frequency of 1 MHz by applying a periodic magnetic field during their formation, a technique adapted from Monroe et al. (2019).[^4] To protect them from environmental interference, each crystal was embedded within a larger synthetic sapphire prism (5 cm tall, 3 cm wide), chosen for its optical transparency and thermal stability.

• Crystal A (Experimental Sample): Positioned in a cryostat at 10 mK, Crystal A was subjected to a magnetic field modulation experiment. A 0.1 T magnetic field was applied in 1-second pulses, altering its oscillation amplitude by 10%.

• Crystal B (Control Sample): Crystal B was placed 10 meters away in a detection array, prepared for a separate experiment on thermal noise effects. It was housed in a similar cryostat at 10 mK, with its oscillations monitored by a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID).

Results
During the experiment on Crystal A, we observed the expected 10% increase in oscillation amplitude with each magnetic pulse. Unexpectedly, Crystal B—intended as a passive control—exhibited identical changes in its oscillation amplitude, synchronized to within 1 microsecond of Crystal A’s response. This behavior persisted across 50 trials over 48 hours, with a correlation coefficient of 0.98 between the two crystals’ oscillation patterns. Control experiments, where Crystal A was not subjected to magnetic fields, showed no changes in Crystal B, ruling out environmental interference.

Discussion
The synchronized behavior of Crystals A and B, which we term "spooky behavior," strongly suggests quantum entanglement. Entanglement typically involves particles sharing a quantum state, such that a measurement on one instantly affects the other, regardless of distance.[^5] While entanglement is well-documented in photons and ions, its observation in macroscopic solid-state systems like time crystals is unprecedented. We hypothesize that the identical fabrication and programming of the crystals, combined with their embedding in sapphire, preserved a shared quantum state during their formation. The sapphire prisms may have shielded the crystals from decoherence, allowing entanglement to persist.

The implications of this discovery are significant. If time crystals can be reliably entangled, they could serve as a medium for quantum communication, potentially enabling instantaneous data transfer over long distances. However, the observed bandwidth is limited—each crystal’s oscillation allows a data rate of approximately 1 kbps, necessitating multiple crystals for practical applications. Further research is needed to confirm entanglement, quantify its range, and explore scalability.

Conclusion
This study presents the first evidence of spooky behavior in embedded time crystals, suggesting quantum entanglement as the underlying mechanism. The synchronized oscillation changes between two spatially separated crystals open new avenues for quantum communication research. Future experiments will focus on verifying entanglement through Bell inequality tests and exploring the potential for multi-crystal systems to enhance bandwidth.

Notes
[^1]: Frank Wilczek, "Quantum Time Crystals," Physical Review Letters 109, no. 16 (2012): 160401.
[^2]: J. Zhang et al., "Observation of a Discrete Time Crystal," Nature 543, no. 7644 (2017): 217–220.
[^3]: Norman Y. Yao et al., "Discrete Time Crystals: Rigidity, Protection, and Realizations," Physical Review Letters 118, no. 3 (2017): 030401.
[^4]: C. Monroe et al., "Programmable Quantum Simulations of Spin Systems with Trapped Ions," Reviews of Modern Physics 91, no. 2 (2019): 025001.
[^5]: John S. Bell, "On the Einstein Podolsky Rosen Paradox," Physics 1, no. 3 (1964): 195–200.

Bibliography
Bell, John S. "On the Einstein Podolsky Rosen Paradox." Physics 1, no. 3 (1964): 195–200.
Monroe, C., et al. "Programmable Quantum Simulations of Spin Systems with Trapped Ions." Reviews of Modern Physics 91, no. 2 (2019): 025001.
Wilczek, Frank. "Quantum Time Crystals." Physical Review Letters 109, no. 16 (2012): 160401.
Yao, Norman Y., et al. "Discrete Time Crystals: Rigidity, Protection, and Realizations." Physical Review Letters 118, no. 3 (2017): 030401.
Zhang, J., et al. "Observation of a Discrete Time Crystal." Nature 543, no. 7644 (2017): 217–220.