Discrete time crystal in a finite chain of Rydberg atoms without disorder

Abstract

We study the collective dynamics of a clean Floquet system of cold atoms, numerically simulating two realistic set-ups based on a regular chain of interacting Rydberg atoms driven by laser fields. In both cases, the population evolution and its Fourier spectrum display clear signatures of a discrete time crystal (DTC), exhibiting the appearance of a robust subharmonic oscillation which persists on a time scale increasing with the chain size, within a certain range of control parameters. We also characterize how the DTC stability is affected by dissipative processes, typically present in this atomic system even though the Rydberg state is very long lived.

Real-time-dynamics quantum simulation of (1+1)-dimensional lattice QED with Rydberg atoms

“…Our quantum simulator is therefore a versatile and reliable experimental setup useful for investigating exotic properties of discrete and continuous Abelian lattice gauge theories [40,41]. Possible outlook for this work is the extension to two-dimensional theories, in continuity with a recent proposal about the study of 2D pure gauge systems [42], as well as the application of this protocol for simulating clock variables to different models such as time crystals [43,44].…”

Floquet engineering of topological phases protected by emergent symmetries under resonant drives

“…where ε represents a degree of the deviation from the π-spin flip. Such an error on the rotation angle is widely considered in the context of discrete time crystals and their related phenomena, and it often breaks time-crystalline orders when it increases to some extent [36][37][38][39][40][41][42]. Moreover, for quantum systems such as trapped ions, the parameter ε is tunable.…”