What kicks off phase separation? Topological defects, it turns out.

Using a holographic (gravity-dual) simulation, researchers ran a two-step quench: first forcing a system through a phase transition to seed topological defects, then pushing it into an unstable spinodal regime. In both discrete (Z₂) and continuous (U(1)) symmetry systems, defect cores consistently grew into macroscopic phase-separated domains. The finding suggests topological defects are universal nucleation seeds—regardless of the underlying symmetry—with implications for early-universe phase transitions and quantum materials.