Space-Time Crystals of Trapped Ions

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Abstract:

Spontaneous symmetry breaking can lead to the formation of time crystals, as well as spatial crystals. Here we propose a space-time crystal of trapped ions and a method to realize it experimentally by confining ions in a ring-shaped trapping potential with a static magnetic field. The ions spontaneously form a spatial ring crystal due to Coulomb repulsion. This ion crystal can rotate persistently at the lowest quantum energy state in magnetic fields with fractional fluxes. The persistent rotation of trapped ions produces the temporal order, leading to the formation of a space-time crystal. We show that these spacetime crystals are robust for direct experimental observation. We also study the effects of finite temperatures on the persistent rotation. The proposed space-time crystals of trapped ions provide a new dimension for exploring many-body physics and emerging properties of matter.

Author(s):
Li, Tongcang ; Gong, Zhe-xuan ; Yin, Zhang-qi ; Quan, H. T. ; Yin, Xiaobo ; Zhang, Peng ; Duan, L. ; Zhang, Xiang
Author Organization(s):
CALIFORNIA UNIV BERKELEY NANOSCALE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING CENTER
Descriptive Note:
Journal article
Supplementary Note:
Published in Physical Review Letters, v109 p163001-1/163001-5, 2012.
Pagination:
0006

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
ARO
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_1.2.3_Educating
Modernization Areas:
Quantum Science and Computing
Communities of Interest:
Energy and Power Technologies
Descriptor(s):
*CRYSTALS, *IONS, MAGNETIC FIELDS, PHYSICS, QUANTUM THEORY, REPRINTS, SYMMETRY(CRYSTALLOGRAPHY)
Field(s)/Group(s):
Crystallography
Keyword(s):
SPACE TIME CRYSTALS
Report Date:
2012 Oct 15
Creation Date:
2013 Feb 25