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Quantum Time Crystals and Interacting Gauge Theories in Atomic Bose-Einstein Condensates
Patrik Öhberg1, Ewan M Wright1,2
1SUPA, Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, United Kingdom.
Physical Review Letters
|January 11, 2020
Summary
We discovered a rotating chiral bright soliton in a Bose-Einstein condensate. This soliton acts as a time crystal, moving unidirectionally due to current nonlinearity.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) exhibit complex quantum phenomena.
- Interacting gauge theories describe particle interactions and fields.
- Time crystals represent a novel phase of matter with periodic behavior in time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics of a Bose-Einstein condensate confined to a ring.
- To explore the implications of an interacting gauge theory on condensate behavior.
- To identify potential realizations of time crystals in physical systems.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of a Bose-Einstein condensate on a ring.
- Application of an interacting gauge theory framework.
- Analysis of density-dependent gauge potentials and current nonlinearity.
Main Results:
- A ground state in the form of a rotating chiral bright soliton was identified.
- The soliton exhibits unidirectional motion due to current nonlinearity.
- This rotating chiral soliton is shown to be a time crystal.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates a novel mechanism for generating time crystals.
- Bose-Einstein condensates governed by interacting gauge theories can host chiral solitons.
- The findings offer new insights into quantum dynamics and emergent phenomena.
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