Classical Time Crystals
Abstract
We consider the possibility that classical dynamical systems display motion in their lowest-energy state, forming a time analogue of crystalline spatial order. Challenges facing that idea are identified and overcome. We display arbitrary orbits of an angular variable as lowest-energy trajectories for nonsingular Lagrangian systems. Dynamics within orbits of broken symmetry provide a natural arena for formation of time crystals. We exhibit models of that kind, including a model with traveling density waves.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- October 2012
- DOI:
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1202.2537
- Bibcode:
- 2012PhRvL.109p0402S
- Keywords:
-
- 45.50.-j;
- 03.50.Kk;
- 05.45.-a;
- 11.30.Qc;
- Dynamics and kinematics of a particle and a system of particles;
- Other special classical field theories;
- Nonlinear dynamics and chaos;
- Spontaneous and radiative symmetry breaking;
- Condensed Matter - Other Condensed Matter;
- General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology;
- High Energy Physics - Theory;
- Mathematical Physics;
- Quantum Physics
- E-Print:
- 5 pages, 1 figure