“Time crystals repeat some internal state with constant separations in time. The name 'time crystal' is somewhat out there, but it was clever to apply it here because the name made the internet go completely bonkers. And so here we are.”
PBS Space Time · Ideas & Essays · November 2026
Context
Introducing the idea of matter that repeats in time the way ordinary crystals repeat in space, the host explains why the odd name stuck.
Transcript
…is not being able to help them. So Progressive is here to help when you can't. So get peace of mind knowing your loved ones are protected with Progressive's Accident Response. Learn more at Progressive.com. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates Limited Availability in California
driver is responsible for emergency and towing charges not covered by the policy coverage subject to policy terms and conditions.
This episode is supported by the Great Courses Plus. What exactly are time crystals? Are they the bling inside your time turner, the flux in your flux capacitor? Are they the heart of the TARDIS? In today's edition of SpaceTime Journal Club, we find out. In Space-Time Journal Club, we review new scientific papers that are making waves. We pick them apart to turn the techno-babble into simple English, at least as much as is possible. Then we fight about it in the comments. This week, we're going to take a look at a recent publication by Norman Yao et al. in Physical Review Letters entitled Discrete Time Crystals, Rigidity, Criticality, and Realizations. This paper proposed an approach to making these bizarre objects, a recipe that two other research teams have now followed and have actually synthesized these things. But first up, what on earth are time crystals? The idea was first proposed in 2012 by Nobel laureate Frank Wilcek of MIT. He suggested a type of matter that exhibits a sort of fundamental oscillation over…
UKG is the workforce operating platform with unified HR, payroll, and workforce management. Built to solve the unique challenges of frontline work. Powered by PeopleFirst AI and decades of labor data, UKG turns workforce intelligence into real-time decisions around staffing, pay, compliance, and…
Progressive's accident response can contact emergency services if you're in a major accident. The only thing worse than someone you love being in an accident is not being able to help them. So Progressive is here to help when you can't. So get peace of mind knowing your loved ones are protected…
This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome, that's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for…
More from PBS Space Time
