Under special conditions the quantum light forms a quasi-crystalline potential with 8-fold rotational symmetry of the atoms.
Quantum Light Induces an Emergent Quasicrystalline Symmetry
Quasicrystals could have interesting, previously unknown material properties. However, it is difficult to research them. The processes that lead to their formation and properties are complex. Theoretical physicists at the University of Innsbruck have developed a special experimental setup that should make it possible to simulate natural quasicrystals in the laboratory.