Although time travel continues to be the biggest dream of many of us, we have not achieved much concrete success in this regard. So, how possible is it to reverse time? At least the first success towards this in linear time has been achieved.
Scientists have succeeded in observing the ‘temporal reflection’ in electromagnetic signals. In other words, the signal traveled back in linear time as if rewinding a movie.
First, let’s find out what temporal reflection is:
The reflection you see in the mirror right now, when we go in front of a mirror, is actually the result of an event defined as ‘spatial reflection’, and even though our image is reflected in the opposite direction, the time inside the mirror continues to flow linearly. Likewise, when you become Rocky and go up the mountain and shout ‘ADRIAN’, the echo you hear is ‘ADRIAN’ again.
But in temporal reflection, the situation is much different. This event, which was put forward 60 years ago and has remained only a hypothesis until today, simply causes the temporal reflection of the ‘ADRIAN’ signal to return as ‘NAIRDA’.
How was this temporal reflection observed?
Unlike spatial reflection, temporal reflection does not occur as a result of hitting something. Instead, it is possible by a sudden change in the characteristics of the environment in which the signal is located. A part of the signal flows from the present to the past, as we see in the red part in the image above.
Scientists used ‘metamaterials’ with properties not found in nature to change the environment to enable temporal reflection.
What is ‘metamaterial’?
Metamaterials are formed by combining structures of microscopic dimensions created with materials such as plastic and metal into repeating patterns. Thanks to these materials, it is possible to observe the interactions of light and sound that are not seen in nature.
Progress of work with metamaterial:
Let’s go back to the same image. The signal we see in blue in the image is the original signal, while the red colors represent the reverse flowing signals. The green control signal is used to activate the switches on the 6 meter metamaterial.
With the closing of the switches, resistance change is provided in the environment and thus the environment change condition is met. The blue signal is inverted in linear time as indicated by the red colours.
What will this historic achievement offer us?
Success will not make us see all of the world’s time as if it were mirrored. But according to scientists, it will pave the way for the development of small-sized, low-energy, and signal-powered computers and new ways of wireless communication.
You can access the research by clicking this link.
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