In a new study published in Nature Communications, scientists have implemented the topologically ordered time crystal on a quantum processor for the first time.
In a new study published in Nature Communications, scientists have implemented the topologically ordered time crystal on a quantum processor for the first time.
This marks a new era for quantum technology, since time crystals have been traditionally challenging to combine with topological order. However, achieving this combination adds stability and robustness to the system, a requirement for quantum computing applications.
Time crystals are a recent introduction to science, with the idea first proposed in 2012 by Nobel laureate Frank Wilczek. It is a quantum system that can naturally oscillate between states without the need for a continuous external energy source.
In simple terms, time crystals are a type of material in which the atoms are arranged periodically in time, rather than space, which is how ordinary crystals (like diamonds) are.
The system always remains in the lowest energy state during oscillations, which is the ground level. Time crystals were experimentally confirmed in 2017 and have potential applications in various quantum technologies.
Achieving topological order, or global order, in time crystals can be challenging due to their dynamic nature. The research team aimed to bridge this gap by demonstrating a topologically ordered time crystal.
Phys.org spoke to some of the researchers behind the study, including Dr. Liang Xiang, Wenjie Jiang, Zehang Bao, Assistant Prof. Qiujiang Guo, and Prof. Haohua Wang from Zhejiang University and Associate Prof. Dong-Ling Deng from Tsinghua University.
Speaking of the process of bringing topologically ordered time crystals to life, the researchers said, “The collaboration between theoretical physicists and the experimental team makes this beautiful project happen. The goal is to push forward the understanding of topological order in periodically driven systems.”
Time crystals exhibit something called time-translation symmetry breaking. Time translation is a property of systems wherein the system’s state does not change over time.
In the case of time crystals, this symmetry is broken since time crystals periodically oscillate between different states. What makes time crystals unique is that they can exhibit periodic motion in time without energy dissipation.
However, they do not violate conservation laws.
