>>12805871As far as I can tell, there is basically shit happening that is outside the laws of physics as we know them. They chalk this up as being "quantum fluctuations". These fluctuations are so small they can't be observed themselves, but their effects on systems can be observed (i.e when they interfere at a QCP - quantum critical point).
Like the phase boundary between water being a liquid or a gas. Zoom in on that boundary to an infinitesimal level. Quantum fluctuations can cause the system to bifurcate one way or the other.
I think with regular crystals it's like this. They are perfectly symmetrical in space. But depending on which direction an electron passes through it, the behavior is different. This system (electron passing through the crystal) has somehow become asymmetrical - i.e due to spontaneous symmetry breaking.
They are looking for an analogous case with time.
Feel free to correct me if i'm wrong about any of this bros.