Discrete time-crystalline order in black diamond: realization and probe of quantum many-body dynamics

Invited

Abstract

Strongly interacting solid-state spin ensembles provide a promising platform to explore quantum many-body physics. In particular, Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond are appealing as they exhibit excellent spin properties even at room temperature. In this talk, I will present how a high-density NV ensemble can be used to investigate out-of-equilibrium quantum many-body phenomena. In particular, I will discuss the recent experimental observation of discrete time-crystalline (DTC) order: a nonequilibrium order characterized by a spontaneous breaking of time-translational symmetry and manifested in robust, long-lived subharmonic responses of a periodically driven system [1]. By engineering different types of effective interactions, we find that the spin ensemble can exhibit a long-lived robust subharmonic response over a wide range of parameters. Additional systematic investigation of the lifetime of the DTC response reveals three different regimes of relaxation dynamics, that can be continuously varied from disorder-induced slow thermalization, to driving assisted relaxation, and ultimately to universal Markovian dynamics [2]. These results highlight the utility of high-density NV ensembles as a probe of many-body dynamics and thermalization, an important aspect in the quest for the understanding and control of quantum matter, and may enable novel applications in quantum simulation and metrology with strongly correlated quantum matter [3].

[1] S. Choi et al, Nature 543, 221–225 (2017)
[2] J. Choi et al, arXiv:1806.10169 (2018)
[3] S. Choi et al, arXiv:1801.00042 (2018)

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Presenters

  • Soonwon Choi

    University of California, Berkeley, UC Berkeley, Physics, University of California Berkeley, University of California Berkeley, Harvard University, Physics, University of California, Berkeley

Authors

  • Soonwon Choi

    University of California, Berkeley, UC Berkeley, Physics, University of California Berkeley, University of California Berkeley, Harvard University, Physics, University of California, Berkeley

  • Joonhee Choi

    Harvard University

  • Hengyun Zhou

    Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Department of Physics, Harvard University

  • Wen Wei Ho

    Harvard University, Harvard, Physics, Harvard University

  • Renate Landig

    Harvard University

  • Georg Kucsko

    Harvard University

  • Junichi Isoya

    University of Tsukuba, Research Center for Knowledge Communities, University of Tsukuba, 1-2 Kasuga, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8550, Japan.

  • Fedor Jelezko

    Ulm University

  • Shinobu Onoda

    Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Takasaki, Gunma 370-1292, Japan

  • Hitoshi Sumiya

    Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd, Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.

  • Curt W Von Keyserlingk

    University of Birmingham, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham

  • Vedika Khemani

    Harvard University, Physics, Harvard University

  • Norman Yao

    University of California, Berkeley, Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA, Physics, University of California, Berkeley, Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Materials Sciences Division

  • Eugene Demler

    Harvard University, Department of Physics, Harvard University, Physics, Harvard University

  • Dmitry Abanin

    University of Geneva, Physics, University of Geneva

  • Mikhail Lukin

    Harvard University, Physics, Harvard University