Scientists explore negative time in quantum experiments

A groundbreaking study from the University of Toronto has demonstrated the existence of ‘negative time’ through advanced quantum experiments. While once dismissed as an illusion caused by light waves interacting with matter, researchers now argue it is a real and measurable phenomenon. The findings, though not yet peer-reviewed, have sparked global interest and scepticism.

Led by Daniela Angulo, the research focused on how photons interact with atoms, showing that the duration atoms remain in an excited state can be less than zero. Visualised as cars exiting a tunnel before they seemingly enter, the experiments suggest a counterintuitive quirk of quantum mechanics, challenging conventional perceptions of time but adhering to Einstein’s theories of relativity.

The study required over two years of meticulous work to fine-tune experimental conditions. Aephraim Steinberg, a quantum physics professor, emphasised that the results do not imply time travel or backward motion of particles but rather an intriguing aspect of how quantum particles behave.

Critics, including German physicist Sabine Hossenfelder, argue the concept is a descriptive tool rather than a revelation about time itself. Despite the controversy, the team stands by their findings, believing it provides a fresh lens to study quantum phenomena, even if practical applications remain distant.