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Researchers are investigating whether time is an emergent property of quantum interactions, using ultracold atoms to model a potentially timeless universe.
New research suggests that the passage of time may not be a fundamental feature of the universe, but rather an illusion that emerges from quantum interactions between different systems [1]. By creating a "toy universe" using ultracold atoms, scientists have demonstrated how a sense of time can arise from quantum correlations, potentially offering a new perspective on the nature of reality [1].
Key takeaways
The concept of time as an emergent property has roots in the 1930s, when physicist Nevill Mott first suggested that time arises from quantum correlations [1]. This idea was further developed in 1983 by Don Page and Bill Wootters, who proposed that dynamics could be described through an entangled state between a system and a clock [2]. In this "timeless" view, the past, present, and future occur simultaneously, and the "flow" of time is merely a perception resulting from our correlation with the universe's state [2].
To test these theories, Giovanni Barontini at the University of Birmingham constructed a laboratory model using 20,000 rubidium atoms cooled to temperatures near absolute zero [1]. By using lasers to force interactions between "bright" and "dark" sectors of atoms, Barontini observed changes in the system's entropy [1]. Because time is associated with increasing disorder, this interaction allowed him to define an internal time for the toy universe [1]. Notably, the results matched calculations derived from the Schrödinger equation, marking the first time this equation has been successfully applied to such an internal time system [1].
This research connects to the broader challenge of unifying gravity and quantum theory, a goal that some physicists believe will eventually require a framework where time does not exist at the most fundamental level [1]. While some experts, such as Claus Kiefer, point out that laboratory toy models lack the complex interactions found in the actual universe, others like Carlo Rovelli suggest these experiments are valuable for exploring unknown physics [1]. Barontini plans to continue his research by using lasers to simulate regions similar to black holes, further testing whether these quantum models can provide insight into the nature of time across different scales [1].
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 2 outlets · Jun 12, 2026 ·
No, researchers emphasize that the phenomenon is consistent with standard quantum mechanics and does not involve transmitting information backward in time.
It is a simplified, lab-based system, such as an ultracold-atom setup, used by scientists to model and study complex physical concepts like the nature of time.
Some physicists propose that time is not a fundamental given but rather an emergent property arising from quantum correlations and changes in entropy.