Scientists have made an intriguing discovery by observing unusual loops in super-cooled gas, which have provided valuable insights into unilateral magnetism. These unique structures, known as Alice’s Rings and named after Alice from “Wonderland,” were discovered during a joint study conducted by scientists from the United States and Finland, as reported by ScienceAlert.
Researchers have long been fascinated by topological monopoles associated with curvatures in quantum fields. These monopoles, similar to the poles of a magnet, play a significant role in quantum mechanics by generating various forces and particles. They can manifest in different contexts, including the vortex movements of quantum fields that create short-term anomalies.
A member of the collaboration on the study, Mikko Mettenen from the University of Aalto in Finland, had previously observed a topological monopole in an isolated state in the overhole atoms of Rubidia, called the Bose-Einstein condensate, back in 2015.
In their latest study, scientists have discovered that monopoles can decay and transform into structures known as “strings of Alice.” When these strings close, they form the unique Alice’s Rings. Interestingly, Alice’s rings have a longer lifespan compared to typical monopoles, existing for 20 times longer.
David Hall, a physicist from the College of Amperst in the United States, compared Alice’s Rings to the mirror of the heroine in a fairy tale, suggesting that passing through these magnetic loops can turn everything upside down.
While the practical applications of this discovery remain uncertain, it contributes to our understanding of the unstable nature of quantum fields and deepens our knowledge of reality. The discovery of Alice’s Rings is considered of utmost significance, as it paves the way for further exploration of the fundamental components of the universe, according to the researchers involved in the study.
The study has been published in Nature Communications.