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Main Authors: Feng, Xu, Liu, Shuo, Chen, Shu, Zhang, Shi-Xin
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.10303
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author Feng, Xu
Liu, Shuo
Chen, Shu
Zhang, Shi-Xin
author_facet Feng, Xu
Liu, Shuo
Chen, Shu
Zhang, Shi-Xin
contents The search for exotic temporal orders in quantum matter, such as discrete quasi-time crystals (DQTCs), has become an important theme in nonequilibrium physics. However, realizing these phases has so far required complex protocols, such as drives with multiple incommensurate frequencies. Here, we present a significantly simpler mechanism: the emergence of DQTCs in a dissipative collective spin system subjected to only a single periodic drive. Remarkably, the characteristic frequencies of this novel phase are not fixed but can be continuously tuned by varying the strength of the drive. Even more strikingly, this tunability is punctuated by Arnold tongues, within which the response main frequency locks to rational fractions of the drive. Our model further provides a unified framework that also encompasses stationary, discrete time crystals and chaotic phases. This discovery simplifies the requirements for generating complex temporal orders and opens a viable route towards the experimental control and manipulation of quasi-time crystalline matter.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2512_10303
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Tunable discrete quasi-time crystal from a single drive
Feng, Xu
Liu, Shuo
Chen, Shu
Zhang, Shi-Xin
Quantum Physics
Quantum Gases
Atomic Physics
The search for exotic temporal orders in quantum matter, such as discrete quasi-time crystals (DQTCs), has become an important theme in nonequilibrium physics. However, realizing these phases has so far required complex protocols, such as drives with multiple incommensurate frequencies. Here, we present a significantly simpler mechanism: the emergence of DQTCs in a dissipative collective spin system subjected to only a single periodic drive. Remarkably, the characteristic frequencies of this novel phase are not fixed but can be continuously tuned by varying the strength of the drive. Even more strikingly, this tunability is punctuated by Arnold tongues, within which the response main frequency locks to rational fractions of the drive. Our model further provides a unified framework that also encompasses stationary, discrete time crystals and chaotic phases. This discovery simplifies the requirements for generating complex temporal orders and opens a viable route towards the experimental control and manipulation of quasi-time crystalline matter.
title Tunable discrete quasi-time crystal from a single drive
topic Quantum Physics
Quantum Gases
Atomic Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.10303