Researchers are taking the concept of synthetic dimensions and creating devices that are capable of experimentally studying higher-dimensional physics on lower-dimensional physical structures. The recent research [1] states “many branches of science are interested in this type of research, ranging from ultracold atomic physics to photonics. The ability to do so provides a versatile platform for realizing effective gauge potentials and novel topological physics that might be difficult or impossible to realize in real systems.” Reading through these comments on the state of the art science requires a few terms needing to be defined in order to understand what the scientists are talking about.
Synthetic Dimensions – The idea of a synthetic dimension is to take a material and cause it to simulate a spatial dimension such as length, width, or height, using a different property of the physical system. The point of such a device is to enable access to dimensions that are not usually possible in real life (3-D [x,y,z]), enabling the study of higher dimensions such as 4-D, 5-D, 6-D dimensional physics, etc. An example of such a device would be analogous to a lamp that can change its brightness like a continuous switch changes the brightness of light. If we have a switch that can continuously change the brightness, we could call it a synthetic dimension and characterize the system by its position in x, y, z and brightness space. The discretizing of synthetic dimensions in the quantum world is also possible and would suggest one could move to different discrete energy levels as a form of higher dimensional space, this is analogous to a lamp with fixed brightness settings. (i.e. using spin states in quantum mechanics, m = -3/2, -½, ½, 3/2, etc.)
Effective Gauge Potentials – In physics, gauge theory is a type of field theory in which the Lagrangian (Lagrangian mechanics) does not change (invariant) under local transformations from certain Lie groups (a group whose elements are organized continuously and smoothly, as opposed to discrete groups). The term gauge refers to any specific mathematical formalism to regulate redundant degrees of freedom in the Lagrangian. The transformations (gauge transformations) are analogous to symmetry group transformations. I think of this being analogous to rotating a molecule on its axis of symmetry in molecular spectroscopy. A particular choice of the scalar or vector potentials is a gauge (more precisely, gauge potential) and a scalar function ψ used to change the gauge is called a gauge function. The existence of arbitrary numbers of gauge functions ψ(r, t) corresponds to the U(1) gauge freedom of this theory. Gauge theories are important as the successful field theories explaining the dynamics of elementary particles such as “Quantum electrodynamics” being an abelian gauge theory. Gauge theories are also important in explaining gravitation in the theory of general relativity (quantum gravity).
Topological physics – Topological physics is related to physics in areas such as condensed matter physics, quantum field theory, and physical cosmology. Topology is concerned with the properties of a geometric object that are preserved under continuous deformations, such as stretching, twisting, crumpling and bending, but not tearing or gluing. A topological space is a set endowed with a structure, called a topology, which allows defining continuous deformations of subspaces, and, more generally, all kinds of continuity. Euclidean spaces, and, more generally, metric spaces are examples of a topological space. These concepts of topology go back as far as the 17th century. The motivation for studying topology is related to geometry. Some geometric problems depend not on the exact shape of the objects involved, but rather on the way they are put together. For example, the square and the circle have many properties in common, they are both one dimensional objects and both are closed systems meaning there is an inside part and an outside part, etc. These are concepts of topological physics.
References
- Avik Dutt, Qian Lin, Luqi Yuan, Momchil Minkov, Meng Xiao, Shanhui Fan, “A single photonic cavity with two independent physical synthetic dimensions,” Science, 2020, Vol. 367, Issue 6473, pp. 59-64, DOI: 10.1126/science.aaz3071
This field of research is important for optics, photonics, atomic, and quantum technologies. Optics and photonics are key technologies related to quantum optics, optomechanics, electro-optics, optoelectronics and quantum electronics. This technology is related to understanding the quantum world and connotes fundamental research that is needed to make quantum computing a reality. Photonics is used to describe the applied science of research and development. The fundamental research going into this technology allows for the engineering of materials and components at the nanometer and atomic scale and allows for the application of new ways of understanding and manipulating radiation-matter interaction. For example, the integration of chips on photonic devices allow for new forms of communication (networking). This research is involved in learning new ways to exploit the control of matter at the atomic level and the quantum mechanics that are involved that permit the development of devices for communication and energy production, etc.
The Spiritual Insights that we receive from this type of research are related to the concept of “synthetic dimensions” and “higher-dimensional physics” in the sense of salvation, transformation, and that there is a higher dimension to this world that meets the eye. This is illustrated in the concepts of life and death according to the Torah. Paul wrote when we seek to know God and His Messiah Yeshua, when we want the Lord God Almighty to be a part of our lives, we have spiritually changed from “death” to “life.” By faith we become dead to this world, to this age, to the olam hazeh, and we are awakened to the realm that transcends the dimensions of the carnal flesh. We no longer live according to the standards of this world, we have died to sin and so the power of sin no longer has control over our lives. This is the power of God in our lives to live for him. Paul wrote to the Philippians 2:13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (NASB) What we see according to Paul’s words is those who love and serve the Lord have been transformed from the inside by God Himself. This is an observable phenomenon in our lives, how the Lord God is working in us to do His will and service.
We are made alive to an entirely greater and more powerful dimension of reality.
This is the parallel we find in the research on synthetic dimensions. This is the spiritual reality that is not disclosed to the vanity of this age. In the Science of physics, there is a significant amount of research taking place on the concept of synthetic dimensions and creating devices that are capable of experimentally studying higher-dimensional physics using lower-dimensional physical structures. This is paralleled to a spiritual reality in the sense that we as God’s children are called to focus our thoughts on the hidden reality of God, rather than upon the temporal world that is passing away. Paul wrote this according to 2 Corinthians 4:18 saying, “while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (NASB) Is it surprising that this seems parallel the very thing researchers are studying in the unseen world (the quantum world) by learning new ways to exploit the control of matter at the atomic level and the quantum mechanics that are involved that permit the development of devices for communication and energy production by the study of synthetic dimensions and higher-dimensional physics? Notice something about the scientific research, the efforts that go into these studies to understand the nature of the interaction of the material world at the atomic level, this level of materials development is analogous to the unseen world, which becomes very practical for helping others. In a similar way, we share the invisibility of the Messiah in this present age, since He is currently hidden from direct view as John wrote in 1 John 3:1 “The world knoweth us not because it knew him not.” Notice something here about what the Scriptures say. When He (Yeshua) is revealed from heaven, so we too will appear with him in glory. This may also be paralleled to the hidden nature of the quantum world is also revealed as the devices being developed function as they are designed. (i.e. The underlying hidden mechanisms are functioning as they should.) For example, these things can be analogous to a function f(x) where death and life are inverse relationships with one another. Being dead to this world, one is alive to the other (the olam haba). In addition to this, our lives are hidden in the Messiah, this is what Paul meant when he wrote to the Colossians saying in Colossians 3:3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (NASB) By our faith we are made dead to the set of dimensions in the present reality (of this world) and are made alive to new set of synthetic dimensions of reality (in the spiritual realm and the world to come). What we have going on here in Scripture is the description of the spiritual synthetic dimension. Remember, the idea of a synthetic dimension is to take a material and cause it to simulate a spatial dimension such as length, width, or height, using a different property of the physical system. If we consider what is taking place in the regenerate man, one who is saved from death by placing his faith in Yeshua as the Messiah of God, believing in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of Israel, God creates is a different property (a synthetic property) of the physical system that is instilled into the one who has faith in the One true God! We are like the hidden treasure, in whom God stores up for us great things, and will reveal His glory in the coming age. Yeshua knows us by name! He calls us to walk in His footsteps, in his ways, according to God’s Torah (Instruction) because He is the One who bore our sins, He is our High Priest, our Advocate, our Savior, and our Lord who intercedes for us before the throne of God, He is the Creator of all things! Truly we are hidden in Him, and we are made secure through God’s all powerful Son, Yeshua. Salvation is a matter of life and death according to the Torah. When we consider this idea of synthetic dimensions as a way of understanding the transformation of the sinful man to the regenerate man, we serve a God who is truth, and life, and real. The nature of this reality, the Lord God creating in us a simulant of dimensions using a different spiritual property, we are transformed into the likeness of His Son. (2 Corinthians 3:18) By this analogous principle of higher dimensional space, we understand what God expects of us, that we are to be honest with Him. The reason being, He knows our inner motivations with perfect clarity (see Galatians 6:7 and Hebrews 4:12). We are called to truth, humility, and honesty before God, to admit our faults, to confess our sins, to own up to the truth about ourselves, to be real! This is how we share the gospel message of God’s love according to His Torah. We are honest to speak about our own struggles, and to share the power of God in our lives, so as to help others to understand how important it is to believe in God’s Messiah and what it means to receive eternal life by faith in God’s Messiah! Note how Yeshua’s strongest words of condemnation were against those who played games with religion, who did not care enough to help others who are in need, and literally not caring for the lost who are dying without God’s love. This is what Yeshua said, in Luke 9:23-24, that if anyone wants to become my disciple, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. (NASB) The analogy is to the synthetic dimension, is found within the concept of simulating a spatial dimension such as length, width, or height, using a different property of the physical system. We are giving up our lives of sin for a life of holiness, righteousness, justice, and truth (higher-dimensional truth as compared to this world) where God Himself is the causative factor. This is the paradox, those who are willing to give up their lives will take up their cross, and those who are unwilling will remain offended to those who truly seek the way of God. We are called to let go, say goodbye, and turn away from the pleasures of this world. The cross of Christ crucifies our relationship with the world, along with this world’s vanities and ignorance. (see Galatians 6:14). Through the cross Paul wrote that a new reality is created in us, that we die to the world and its idolatry. We pass from death unto life, over to a new realm of existence (see Galatians 2:20, and Colossians 3:1-4). The concept of synthetic dimensions as it is related to the salvation of man is radical and marks out the concepts of what it means to live according to the spirit. Now, by faith the Lord God Almighty and His Messiah Yeshua is our life, and hope, and joy. What a glorious God we serve! Praise His Name forever and ever!
