{
  "id": 13467056,
  "title": "New stability rules distinguish quantum phases of matter that an older method wrongly groups together",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/new-stability-rules-distinguish-quantum-phases-of-matter-that-an",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-10T17:00:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-10-stability-distinguish-quantum-phases-older.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The article discusses a new framework for classifying nonequilibrium quantum phases of matter, developed by physicists at the Anthony J. Leggett Institute for Condensed Matter Theory at the University of Illinois. This framework overcomes the limitations of previous classification methods, which struggled to distinguish between open, nonequilibrium systems that interact with their environment from closed quantum systems. Traditional classification schemes for quantum phases relied on symmetries, but many phases require topology, a mathematical concept that studies global properties of shapes while ignoring local details. Topological phases are defined by topological invariants, special numbers that remain unchanged under continuous deformations. These phases exhibit quantum entanglement and can host particle-like excitations known as anyons. The new framework uses entanglement bootstrapping, a procedure that identifies stability criteria to define fixed points and classify phases of mixed states, which are common in real-world systems. By applying this approach, scientists can more accurately categorize fundamentally new quantum behaviors and their potential applications in quantum computing.",
  "summary": "Most of us recognize basic phases of matter and their properties: solids maintain their shape, liquids flow freely with constant volume, and gases expand to fill their container. Quantum phases, on the other hand, are much harder to categorize, overturning traditional notions of what a phase even is and forcing physicists to rethink their definitions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}