Nonlinear two-level dynamics of quantum time crystals
Abstract
A time crystal is a macroscopic quantum system in periodic motion in its ground state. In our experiments, two coupled time crystals consisting of spin-wave quasiparticles (magnons) form a macroscopic two-level system. The two levels evolve in time as determined intrinsically by a nonlinear feedback, allowing us to construct spontaneous two-level dynamics. In the course of a level crossing, magnons move from the ground level to the excited level driven by the Landau-Zener effect, combined with Rabi population oscillations. We demonstrate that magnon time crystals allow access to every aspect and detail of quantum-coherent interactions in a single run of the experiment. Our work opens an outlook for the detection of surface-bound Majorana fermions in the underlying superfluid system, and invites technological exploitation of coherent magnon phenomena - potentially even at room temperature.
- Publication:
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Nature Communications
- Pub Date:
- June 2022
- DOI:
- 10.1038/s41467-022-30783-w
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2107.05236
- Bibcode:
- 2022NatCo..13.3090A
- Keywords:
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- Quantum Physics;
- Condensed Matter - Other Condensed Matter
- E-Print:
- 14 pages, 5 figures