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Discrete Time Crystals: Rigidity, Criticality, and Realizations

N. Y. Yao, A. C. Potter, I.-D. Potirniche, and A. Vishwanath
Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 030401 – Published 18 January 2017; Erratum Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 269901 (2017)
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Abstract

Despite being forbidden in equilibrium, spontaneous breaking of time translation symmetry can occur in periodically driven, Floquet systems with discrete time-translation symmetry. The period of the resulting discrete time crystal is quantized to an integer multiple of the drive period, arising from a combination of collective synchronization and many body localization. Here, we consider a simple model for a one-dimensional discrete time crystal which explicitly reveals the rigidity of the emergent oscillations as the drive is varied. We numerically map out its phase diagram and compute the properties of the dynamical phase transition where the time crystal melts into a trivial Floquet insulator. Moreover, we demonstrate that the model can be realized with current experimental technologies and propose a blueprint based upon a one dimensional chain of trapped ions. Using experimental parameters (featuring long-range interactions), we identify the phase boundaries of the ion-time-crystal and propose a measurable signature of the symmetry breaking phase transition.

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  • Received 5 November 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.118.030401

© 2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & OpticalCondensed Matter, Materials & Applied PhysicsGeneral PhysicsStatistical Physics & ThermodynamicsQuantum Information, Science & Technology

Erratum

Erratum: Discrete Time Crystals: Rigidity, Criticality, and Realizations [Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 030401 (2017)]

N. Y. Yao, A. C. Potter, I.-D. Potirniche, and A. Vishwanath
Phys. Rev. Lett. 118, 269901 (2017)

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Key Image

How to Create a Time Crystal

Published 18 January 2017

A detailed theoretical recipe for making time crystals has been unveiled and swiftly implemented by two groups using vastly different experimental systems.

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Authors & Affiliations

N. Y. Yao1, A. C. Potter1,2, I.-D. Potirniche1, and A. Vishwanath1,3

  • 1Department of Physics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
  • 2Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
  • 3Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA

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Issue

Vol. 118, Iss. 3 — 20 January 2017

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