The Research

This is an exciting time for Qauntum studies. Researchers found that negative time could exist. For more exact details, review this paper (pending peer review). Researchers used a special technique known as the cross-Kerr effect to measure the atomic excitation of protons. This excitation is expected when a photon of light interacts with atoms. We shall bear in mind that the photon is a wave and also a little electron. Mapping its speed or exact location is challenging. However, in this experiment, scientists used the mentioned technique to measure the excitement which reveals when (since we’re timing) both interact. The concept of time is not fully understood (at least by me). Clocks exist. I know that because I have one but time?

Therefore, the term negative time in this research refers to the sequence of events. It seems logical that the wave (photon) delves into the matter and excites its electron due to the interaction. However, to oversimplify the research, the cross-Kerr effect measured the excitement before the wave entered the matter with the same level of excitement expected if it entered the matter. This interruption or reverse order of events is denoted as ‘negative time’. The research has not yet analysed the cause of these events and how they have been reversed.

The Impact on Quantum Computing

The research highlights significant phenomena for theoretical physicists. However, computer scientists have been studying error correction and memory loss in quantum computers and yet this problem is not fully solved. Therefore, understanding how light photons interact with matter might reveal insights that can help someone like me use quantum computers more reliably in the future.

Conclusion

• The observation of time delay events in this research, albeit negative, has nothing to do with the passage of time. It basically describes how the wave phase of photons shifts.
• This finding does not break causality.