Apr 25, 2025
Time Reversal Observed in Quantum Physics Experiment
In a recent experiment, University of Toronto researchers observed photons exiting a material before entering, challenging the belief that time only moves forward
Researchers passed photons through ultracold rubidium atoms and observed them exiting before entering suggesting a “negative time” delay
In classical physics, time delays are positive effects follow causes. However, in this quantum experiment, the measured time delay was negative, suggesting that the effect (photon exit) occurred before the cause (photon entry)
This phenomenon aligns with certain interpretations of quantum mechanics, like the transactional interpretation, which posits that particles can exchange waves traveling both forward and backward in time
Though intriguing, some physicists urge caution suggesting "negative time" may simply reflect complex quantum effects, not true time reversal
The experiment opens doors to exploring time in quantum physics, but more research is needed to confirm its implications
The experiment challenges the idea of linear time, hinting that quantum conditions may bend it offering new insights into reality as research advances
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