自旋玻璃是复杂物质的典型例子。尽管它们的排序缺乏完整的理论理解，但自旋玻璃的抽象模型为其他领域的问题提供了信息，例如组合优化和人工智能，它们构成了神经网络计算的数学基础。
研究组演示了实现具有不同驱动耗散和矢量形式的自旋玻璃的能力。通过显微镜观察其玻璃状自旋状态，该技术实现了直接测量复制对称破缺和由此产生的超尺度层次结构。众所周知，超对称性在进化、蛋白质折叠和气候变化的模型中出现；这项工作表明其可以在物理实现的系统中直接观察到。
附：英文原文
Title: Directly observing replica symmetry breaking in a vector quantum-optical spin glass
Author: Ronen M. Kroeze, Brendan P. Marsh, David Atri Schuller, Henry S. Hunt, Alexander N. Bourzutschky, Michael Winer, Sarang Gopalakrishnan, Jonathan Keeling, Benjamin L. Lev
Issue&Volume: 2025-08-14
Abstract: Spin glasses are quintessential examples of complex matter. Although their ordering lacks complete theoretical understanding, abstract models of spin glasses inform problems in other fields, such as combinatorial optimization and artificial intelligence—where they form a mathematical basis for neural network computing. We demonstrate the ability to realize a spin glass of a distinct driven-dissipative and vector form. By microscopically visualizing its glassy spin states, the technique allows us to directly measure replica symmetry breaking and the resulting ultrametric hierarchical structure. Ultrametricity is known to be emergent in models of evolution, protein folding, and climate change; this work shows it to be directly observable in a physically realized system.
DOI: adu7710
Source: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu7710