Faster-Than-Light Particle Fits With Special Theory of Relativity, Physicists Say

The hypothetical faster - than - unclouded mote known as the tachyon may espouse with the limited possibility of Einstein’s theory of relativity , according to a squad of physicists , make its existence more plausible .

What the hell is a tachyon?

Tachyons are a eccentric of supposed speck , meaning their existence remains a thing of meditation . The tachyon is also proposed to be superliminal , mean it always travels faster than light . A hypothetical , superliminal atom … we pray that Lin - Manuel Miranda never make a musical about alien physics .

There is no evidence that tachyons exist , as is the case with plenty of particles proposed to make up our universe . Some physicist believe tachyons exist because they would offer solutions to certain problems in particle physics and flying field theory . But the recent team ’s research , publishedthis week inPhysical Review D , claims that previous doubts of tachyons ’ plausibility were unfounded .

Special relativity and the limit of lightspeed

In 1905 , Einstein produced his hypothesis of special relativity theory , which name the relationship between distance and time ( vitamin E = mc2 — sound intimate ? ) . A key part of the possibility contain that the speeding of light can be approached , but not attain , by material object .

Unlike other hypothetical particles such asaxions and dark photons — both type of dark issue candidates which are not proven to exist — there are several reasons why tachyons may not exist . For one , according to a University of Warsawrelease , the ground state of the tachyon field was think to be unstable . to boot , depending on the observer ’s position , a dissimilar number of particles would be observe , and lastly , the particles ’ vigor could assume minus value . In the recent study , the team posit that the issues with the particle could be resolved by knowing both the initial and final land of the system . In that case , the “ tachyon possibility became mathematically consistent , ” the loss say .

The new inquiry also put forward up “ a young sort of quantum entanglement ” that mixes past and next , the university release stated , which does not be in conventional particle theory . “ The idea that the future can determine the present instead of the present determine the hereafter is not new in cathartic , ” said Andrzej Dragan , a physicist at the University of Warsaw and co - author of the paper , in the release . “ However , until now , this character of opinion has at best been an unorthodox interpretation of sure quantum phenomena , and this sentence we were forced to this finish by the theory itself . ”

An illustration conveying the idea of a space-based quantum internet, which would seem, like the hypothetical particle of a tachyon, to outpace light.

An illustration conveying the idea of a space-based quantum internet, which would seem, like the hypothetical particle of a tachyon, to outpace light.An illustration conveying the idea of a space-based quantum internet. © Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

But nothing can move faster than light…right?

The short solution is no , nothing can surpass the speed of spark : 983,571,056 base per second , or 299,792,458 cadence per indorsement . The farseeing response is that it ’s complicated ; for representative , quasiparticles created by cloud of electronsact as ifthey journey faster than clean , though they do not .

And while we ’re musing on hypothetical : If some other intelligent existence in the universe have visualize out how to travel faster than light , evidence of their victory may be detectable in the gravitational ripples bring on by their engineering science , asproposed by a late squad of physicist .

Like the tachyon itself , the work is very notional . But such is the domain of these hypothetical particles . Researching stuff that go faster than lighter was always go to ask some imagery .

A animation showing how a hypothetical particle moving faster than light, like a tachyon, will only be visible after it’s already passed.