Observation of Discrete Time Quasicrystal in Rydberg Atomic Gases

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Zhu, Dong-Yang, Zhang, Zheng-Yuan, Wang, Qi-Feng, Ma, Yu, Han, Tian-Yu, Yu, Chao, Fang, Qiao-Qiao, Shao, Shi-Yao, Li, Qing, Wang, Ya-Jun, Zhang, Jun, Chen, Han-Chao, Liu, Xin, Nan, Jia-Dou, Yin, Yi-Ming, Zhang, Li-Hua, Guo, Guang-Can, Liu, Bang, Ding, Dong-Sheng, Shi, Bao-Sen
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Zhu, Dong-Yang
Zhang, Zheng-Yuan
Wang, Qi-Feng
Ma, Yu
Han, Tian-Yu
Yu, Chao
Fang, Qiao-Qiao
Shao, Shi-Yao
Li, Qing
Wang, Ya-Jun
Zhang, Jun
Chen, Han-Chao
Liu, Xin
Nan, Jia-Dou
Yin, Yi-Ming
Zhang, Li-Hua
Guo, Guang-Can
Liu, Bang
Ding, Dong-Sheng
Shi, Bao-Sen
author_facet Zhu, Dong-Yang
Zhang, Zheng-Yuan
Wang, Qi-Feng
Ma, Yu
Han, Tian-Yu
Yu, Chao
Fang, Qiao-Qiao
Shao, Shi-Yao
Li, Qing
Wang, Ya-Jun
Zhang, Jun
Chen, Han-Chao
Liu, Xin
Nan, Jia-Dou
Yin, Yi-Ming
Zhang, Li-Hua
Guo, Guang-Can
Liu, Bang
Ding, Dong-Sheng
Shi, Bao-Sen
contents Discrete time quasicrystals (DTQC) constitute a class of non-equilibrium matter characterized by temporal order without strict periodicity, in contrast to conventional time crystals. Investigating these phenomena is essential for expanding our fundamental understanding of far-from-equilibrium quantum matter and spontaneous symmetry breaking beyond periodic regimes. Here, we experimentally observe a DTQC in a driven-dissipative ensemble of strongly interacting Rydberg atoms, displaying non-equilibrium dynamical response with a different finite Abelian group symmetry $\mathbb{Z}{_m} \times \mathbb{Z}{_n}$. By applying a quasi-periodic drive using a dual-frequency drive with incommensurate frequencies, we demonstrate that the system exhibits a robust subharmonic response at multiple incommensurate frequencies, signifying the emergence of a DTQC phase. We map the full phase diagram of the system, which includes the DTQC phase, and demonstrated its rigidity against perturbations in both RF field intensity and laser detuning. Moreover, we observe a cyclic group symmetry effect that constrains the construction of $\mathbb{Z}{_2} \times \mathbb{Z}{_3}$-symmetric DTQC. This work establishes a versatile platform for studying non-equilibrium phases of matter and provides insights into the dynamics of time-translation symmetry breaking in quantum many-body systems.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2509_21248
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Observation of Discrete Time Quasicrystal in Rydberg Atomic Gases
Zhu, Dong-Yang
Zhang, Zheng-Yuan
Wang, Qi-Feng
Ma, Yu
Han, Tian-Yu
Yu, Chao
Fang, Qiao-Qiao
Shao, Shi-Yao
Li, Qing
Wang, Ya-Jun
Zhang, Jun
Chen, Han-Chao
Liu, Xin
Nan, Jia-Dou
Yin, Yi-Ming
Zhang, Li-Hua
Guo, Guang-Can
Liu, Bang
Ding, Dong-Sheng
Shi, Bao-Sen
Quantum Gases
Atomic Physics
Quantum Physics
Discrete time quasicrystals (DTQC) constitute a class of non-equilibrium matter characterized by temporal order without strict periodicity, in contrast to conventional time crystals. Investigating these phenomena is essential for expanding our fundamental understanding of far-from-equilibrium quantum matter and spontaneous symmetry breaking beyond periodic regimes. Here, we experimentally observe a DTQC in a driven-dissipative ensemble of strongly interacting Rydberg atoms, displaying non-equilibrium dynamical response with a different finite Abelian group symmetry $\mathbb{Z}{_m} \times \mathbb{Z}{_n}$. By applying a quasi-periodic drive using a dual-frequency drive with incommensurate frequencies, we demonstrate that the system exhibits a robust subharmonic response at multiple incommensurate frequencies, signifying the emergence of a DTQC phase. We map the full phase diagram of the system, which includes the DTQC phase, and demonstrated its rigidity against perturbations in both RF field intensity and laser detuning. Moreover, we observe a cyclic group symmetry effect that constrains the construction of $\mathbb{Z}{_2} \times \mathbb{Z}{_3}$-symmetric DTQC. This work establishes a versatile platform for studying non-equilibrium phases of matter and provides insights into the dynamics of time-translation symmetry breaking in quantum many-body systems.
title Observation of Discrete Time Quasicrystal in Rydberg Atomic Gases
topic Quantum Gases
Atomic Physics
Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.21248