Higher-order and fractional discrete time crystals in Floquet-driven Rydberg atoms

Bang Liu, Li-Hua Zhang, Qi-Feng Wang, Yu Ma, Tian-Yu Han, Jun Zhang, Zheng-Yuan Zhang, Shi-Yao Shao, Qing Li, Han-Chao Chen, Bao-Sen Shi and Dong-Sheng Ding ()
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Bang Liu: University of Science and Technology of China
Li-Hua Zhang: University of Science and Technology of China
Qi-Feng Wang: University of Science and Technology of China
Yu Ma: University of Science and Technology of China
Tian-Yu Han: University of Science and Technology of China
Jun Zhang: University of Science and Technology of China
Zheng-Yuan Zhang: University of Science and Technology of China
Shi-Yao Shao: University of Science and Technology of China
Qing Li: University of Science and Technology of China
Han-Chao Chen: University of Science and Technology of China
Bao-Sen Shi: University of Science and Technology of China
Dong-Sheng Ding: University of Science and Technology of China

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Higher-order and fractional discrete time crystals (DTCs) are exotic phases of matter where the discrete time translation symmetry is broken into higher-order and non-integer category. Generation of these unique DTCs has been widely studied theoretically in different systems. However, no current experimental methods can probe these higher-order and fractional DTCs in any quantum many-body systems. We demonstrate an experimental approach to observe higher-order and fractional DTCs in Floquet-driven Rydberg atomic gases. We have discovered multiple n-DTCs with integer values of n = 2, 3, and 4, and others ranging up to 14, along with fractional n-DTCs with n values beyond the integers. The system response can transition between adjacent integer DTCs, during which the fractional DTCs are investigated. Study of higher-order and fractional DTCs expands fundamental knowledge of non-equilibrium dynamics and is promising for discovery of more complex temporal symmetries beyond the single discrete time translation symmetry.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53712-5

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