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Solid-state continuous time crystal in a polariton condensate with a built-in mechanical clock
I Carraro-Haddad1,2, D L Chafatinos1,2, A S Kuznetsov3
1Centro Atómico Bariloche and Instituto Balseiro, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica (CNEA)-Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCUYO), Bariloche 8400, Argentina.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 30, 2024
Summary
Researchers demonstrate time crystals (TCs) using driven-dissipative exciton-polaritons. These systems exhibit broken time translation symmetry, controlled by optical drive power and phonon interactions, revealing new TC phases.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Quantum optics
- Nonhermitian physics
Background:
- Time crystals (TCs) represent a novel phase of matter characterized by spontaneous breaking of time translation symmetry.
- Driven-dissipative systems offer a promising avenue for realizing and studying TCs outside of equilibrium.
- Exciton-polaritons in microcavities provide a tunable platform for exploring quantum phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally demonstrate time crystals in a driven-dissipative system.
- To investigate the control and characterization of different time crystal phases.
- To establish microcavity exciton-polaritons as a viable platform for studying broken time translation symmetry.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing driven-dissipative condensates of microcavity exciton-polaritons.
- Controlling time crystal phases via the power of a continuous-wave nonresonant optical drive.
- Investigating the influence of cavity phonon interactions on time crystal properties.
Main Results:
- Observation of distinct time crystal phases, including Larmor-like precession (continuous TC).
- Stabilization of time crystals through locking with self-sustained coherent phonons.
- Demonstration of a discrete time crystal phase with period doubling induced by phonons.
- Characterization of phase transitions controlled by optical drive power.
Conclusions:
- Microcavity exciton-polaritons serve as an effective platform for realizing and studying time crystals.
- The interplay between optical driving and phonon interactions allows for the control of different time crystal phases.
- This work opens new possibilities for exploring broken time translation symmetry in nonhermitian systems.
