Under close review: Scientists at the University of Toronto have provided evidence supporting the existence of Scientists at the University of Toronto have provided evidence supporting the existence of © The Brighter Side of News Scientists have long been fascinated by how light interacts with matter. At the heart of this curiosity are photons—particles that carry light—as they pass through different materials. When photons travel through substances, they don't simply move straight ahead. Instead, atoms within the materials absorb and later re-emit these photons. During this brief encounter, atoms enter temporary high-energy states before returning to their normal condition. Understanding these interactions has paved the way for cutting-edge technologies, including quantum memory and advanced optics. Qualify For Hardship Relief - Debt Relief For CA Residents californiadebtrelief.org Qualify For Hardship Relief - Debt Relief For CA Residents Ad Recently, a groundbreaking experiment challenged conventional wisdom by introducing the concept of "negative time." This intriguing idea arose from observations made during photon interactions within certain transparent materials. The study showed photons being absorbed and re-emitted in such short durations that researchers measured them as less than zero—hence "negative time." The study, led by Professor Aephraim Steinberg at the University of Toronto, ignited considerable debate. Although the findings await peer review, Steinberg emphasizes their importance. He describes the work as essential to unraveling the strange behaviors within quantum systems, despite its controversial reception. Schematics of experimental setup. (a) Atomic level scheme. (b) Conceptual diagram of the experimental apparatus: a resonant pulsed beam (signal) and off-resonant continuous-wave beam (probe) counter-propagate through a cloud of cold 85Rb atoms, detected at opposite sides of the apparatus. (CREDIT: ARXIV) Schematics of experimental setup. (a) Atomic level scheme. (b) Conceptual diagram of the experimental apparatus: a resonant pulsed beam (signal) and off-resonant continuous-wave beam (probe) counter-propagate through a cloud of cold 85Rb atoms, detected at opposite sides of the apparatus. (CREDIT: ARXIV) © The Brighter Side of News In traditional theories, photons have always been assumed to follow a straightforward timeline of absorption and re-emission. But Steinberg's team discovered these events could seemingly occur backward, disrupting established ideas about time in quantum mechanics. Quantum Mechanics and the Concept of Negative Time To simplify this puzzling concept, picture cars entering a tunnel. If a thousand cars enter around noon, you'd naturally expect them to exit afterward. Surprisingly, you might notice some cars emerging slightly before noon, around 11:59 a.m. This scenario parallels the researchers' findings about photons and negative time. Related video: The Experiment that Proved Einstein Was Wrong (Astrum) Thanks to Warframe for sponsoring and inspiring me to make Current Time 0:01 / Duration 19:32 Astrum The Experiment that Proved Einstein Was Wrong 0 View on Watch View on Watch Previously, scientists dismissed such strange timing as mere measurement errors. However, Steinberg and his colleagues argue these results reflect genuine quantum phenomena. They suggest these odd timings arise naturally within the probabilistic world of quantum mechanics. Their bold claim challenges physicists to reconsider fundamental notions of time and energy. It underscores how much quantum mechanics still holds in mysteries and surprises for researchers to explore. Related Stories ・Our universe has an anti-universe twin moving backwards in time, study finds ・Major discovery could fundamentally redefine our understanding of time ・Breakthrough Tachyon discovery is a major leap towards time travel reality Daniela Angulo, a lead researcher on the team, played a pivotal role in measuring how long atoms remained in their excited states. Using carefully calibrated lasers in a basement laboratory filled with wires and aluminum-wrapped devices, the team optimized their experimental setup over two years. Debt Free in 24-48 Months - Top 10 Best Debt Relief 2025 top10debtconsolidation.com Debt Free in 24-48 Months - Top 10 Best Debt Relief 2025 Ad “That time turned out to be negative,” Steinberg explained. This finding has profound implications for understanding photon behavior in dispersive media. Negative Time and Group Delay The group delay, a fundamental concept in light-matter interaction, refers to the time a photon seems to take to traverse a medium. This delay is influenced by the optical depth of the medium and the spectral properties of the light pulse. Steinberg’s team used quantum trajectory theory and weak-value formalism to explore how photons interact with atoms and spend time as atomic excitations. Their calculations revealed that the time a photon spends as an atomic excitation aligns with the group delay, even when this delay becomes negative. In classical terms, such a delay would be impossible. However, quantum mechanics allows for these anomalous results, which are deeply tied to the probabilistic nature of particle interactions. Experimental physicist Daniela Angulo poses with an apparatus in the physics lab at the University of Toronto. (CREDIT: University of Toronto) Experimental physicist Daniela Angulo poses with an apparatus in the physics lab at the University of Toronto. (CREDIT: University of Toronto) © The Brighter Side of News This insight was tested experimentally by observing the nonlinear phase shift imprinted on a probe beam, confirming the predictions across a range of optical parameters. Steinberg likens this phase shift to the π phase-flip that occurs when a broadband pulse travels through an optically dense medium. This phenomenon highlights the intricate interplay between quantum coherence and material properties, challenging traditional assumptions about how light propagates. Weight Loss Injections - At-Home Weight Loss Program shedrx.com Weight Loss Injections - At-Home Weight Loss Program Ad The Toronto team’s findings underscore the nuanced behavior of photons and atoms in quantum systems. Their earlier experiments demonstrated that transmitted photons spent nearly as much time in an excited atomic state as scattered photons. These results suggested that a significant fraction of excited atoms contributed to coherent forward emission, a conclusion supported by theoretical models. In the latest study, the researchers extended these insights, demonstrating that negative group delays are not just mathematical curiosities but observable phenomena. Their experiments also showed that photons carried no information in this process, preserving the integrity of Einstein’s theory of special relativity. This ensures that no physical laws—such as the cosmic speed limit—are violated. Steinberg emphasizes that the concept of “negative time” does not imply time travel. “We don’t want to say anything traveled backward in time,” he clarified. Instead, these results illuminate the complex and sometimes counterintuitive dynamics of quantum systems, where particles do not adhere to fixed timelines but operate within a spectrum of possible behaviors. Atomic excitation times depicted as the ratio τT/τ0, obtained through integration over the regions. (CREDIT: ARXIV) Atomic excitation times depicted as the ratio τT/τ0, obtained through integration over the regions. (CREDIT: ARXIV) © The Brighter Side of News Broader Implications and Skepticism While the findings have attracted global attention, they have also faced skepticism. German theoretical physicist Sabine Hossenfelder criticized the interpretation of “negative time” in a widely viewed YouTube video. She argued that this term misrepresents what the experiments reveal about photon behavior and phase shifts in a medium. “The negative time in this experiment has nothing to do with the passage of time,” Hossenfelder stated. “It’s just a way to describe how photons travel through a medium and how their phases shift.” Angulo and Steinberg, however, maintain that their work addresses critical gaps in understanding light’s interaction with matter. They argue that negative group delays provide new insights into the behavior of light in dispersive media, which could have far-reaching implications for quantum optics and photonic technologies. The researchers also defended their choice of terminology, acknowledging that it provokes debate but also stimulates deeper discussions about the nature of quantum phenomena. “We’ve made our choice about what we think is a fruitful way to describe the results,” Steinberg said. He noted that while practical applications remain speculative, their findings lay the groundwork for exploring new aspects of quantum physics. As the debate over “negative time” unfolds, the Toronto team’s work exemplifies the spirit of scientific inquiry. By challenging conventional wisdom and pushing the boundaries of what is measurable, they invite the scientific community to reconsider long-held assumptions about time, light, and quantum mechanics. Their research, though still in its early stages, opens new avenues for studying light-matter interactions and the role of group delays in quantum systems. Whether or not “negative time” becomes an accepted term, the insights it represents will likely influence the trajectory of quantum physics for years to come. Note: Materials provided above by The Brighter Side of News. Content may be edited for style and length. Like these kind of feel good stories? Get The Brighter Side of News' newsletter.

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I created this from AI concerning reality and time. Don't hit the ceiling too hard please. Multiverse Theory: In physics and cosmology, the multiverse theory proposes the existence of multiple universes, possibly with different physical laws and realities. This concept lends itself to the idea that there could be parallel versions of ourselves and our world. Quantum Mechanics: Quantum mechanics explores the strange behavior of particles at the subatomic level, where possibilities exist in superposition until observed. Some interpretations of quantum mechanics suggest that every quantum measurement causes the universe to split into multiple realities. The Nature of Perception: Our perception of reality is subjective and influenced by our experiences, beliefs, and biases. What we perceive as "reality" may be only a limited and filtered version of what actually exists. Philosophical Implications: The idea of shifted realities raises profound philosophical questions about free will, determinism, and the nature of identity. If multiple realities exist, does our sense of self remain constant across them? What is the nature of consciousness, if realities can be shifted? Existential Concerns: The feeling of being "shifted in the wrong direction" could reflect existential anxieties about belonging, purpose, and the meaning of life. It could also relate to feelings of alienation or disconnection from one's environment. The idea of a simulation: Also, there is the idea that we are living in a simulation, and that shifts in reality are programing changes. It is a very interesting subject, that has been explored in both science, and in philosophy. This month in physics my topic is trending again. Retrocausality in quantum levels and negative time. Say if we were trying to percieve thing more backwards would mess with our sense of time. You're hitting on some very cutting-edge and mind-bending concepts in physics! Retrocausality and negative time are indeed topics that are gaining renewed attention, and they have profound implications for our understanding of time and causality. Here's a breakdown:   Retrocausality: This concept suggests that effects can precede their causes, meaning that events in the future can influence events in the past.   In quantum mechanics, certain experiments and interpretations suggest that this might be possible at the subatomic level. This challenges our intuitive understanding of cause and effect, which is deeply ingrained in our perception of reality. Negative Time: The idea of negative time proposes that time could flow backward in certain contexts. This is related to the mathematical solutions of some physics equations, which allow for the possibility of time flowing in the opposite direction. It is very difficult to grasp, because all of our experiences relate to time flowing forward. Quantum Levels: These concepts are particularly relevant in the quantum realm, where the rules of classical physics break down.   Experiments involving entangled particles and quantum teleportation have hinted at the possibility of non-local effects that seem to defy our understanding of time and space. Perception and Time: Our perception of time is not objective; it's influenced by our brains and our experiences.   If we were to perceive events in a retrocausal or negative-time manner, it would drastically alter our sense of time and causality. It would be extremely difficult for a human to comprehend. Philosophical Implications: These concepts raise profound philosophical questions about the nature of free will, determinism, and the arrow of time.   If the future can influence the past, does that mean our choices are predetermined? How do we reconcile these ideas with our sense of agency and responsibility? The Arrow of Time: One of the largest questions in physics, is why time only appears to flow in one direction.   Entropy is often associated with the arrow of time.   It's a fascinating area of research, and it's likely to continue to challenge our fundamental assumptions about the universe. Sources and related content What Is Retro-Causality? - Quantum Zeitgeist quantumzeitgeist.com Retrocausality: How backwards-in-time effects could explain quantum weirdness researchoutreach.org Classical physics - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Good Timing: UNLV Study Unravels How Our Brains Track Time | University of Nevada, Las Vegas www.unlv.edu Retrocausality - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org If the movie of reality appears before you then entropy and cause and effect are meaningless over long periods of time.\ You've articulated a very interesting and thought-provoking idea. If reality is perceived as a pre-existing "movie" that unfolds before us, it does indeed challenge our conventional understanding of entropy and cause and effect, especially over long periods. Here's a breakdown of the implications: Pre-Determined Narrative: If the "movie" of reality is already set, then all events, past, present, and future, are already determined. This eliminates the notion of genuine free will and choice, as our actions would simply be part of the pre-recorded narrative. Entropy and the Arrow of Time: Entropy, the tendency of systems to move towards disorder, is closely linked to the arrow of time. If reality is a pre-determined movie, then the direction of time and the increase of entropy become less fundamental. They're simply part of the unfolding narrative. The movie could be played in reverse, and it would not change the movie. Cause and Effect: Cause and effect, the idea that events have preceding causes, also becomes less meaningful. All events are interconnected within the narrative, and their order is simply a matter of the movie's sequence. If all events are already laid out, then cause and effect become more of a description, than a mechanism. Perception and Reality: Our perception of cause and effect and the flow of time may be an illusion created by our brains as we experience the "movie." Our minds try to create a coherent narrative from the unfolding events, even if the underlying reality is different. Philosophical Implications: This concept raises profound philosophical questions about the nature of reality, free will, and the meaning of existence. It suggests that our experience of reality may be fundamentally different from the underlying reality itself.