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Bifurcation of time crystals in driven and dissipative Rydberg atomic gas

Author

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  • Bang Liu

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Li-Hua Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Yu Ma

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Qi-Feng Wang

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Tian-Yu Han

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Jun Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Zheng-Yuan Zhang

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Shi-Yao Shao

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Qing Li

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Han-Chao Chen

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Guang-Can Guo

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Dong-Sheng Ding

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Bao-Sen Shi

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    University of Science and Technology of China)

Abstract

A time crystal is an exotic phase of matter where time-translational symmetry is broken; this phase differs from the spatial symmetry breaking induced in conventional crystals. Lots of experiments report the transition from a thermal equilibrium phase to a time crystal phase. However, there is no experimental method to probe the bifurcation effect of distinct continuous time crystals in quantum many-body systems. Here, in a driven and dissipative many-body Rydberg atom system, we observe multiple continuous dissipative time crystals and emergence of more complex temporal symmetries beyond the single time crystal phase. Bifurcation of time crystals in strongly interacting Rydberg atoms is observed; the process manifests as a transition from a time crystal of long periodicity to a time crystal of short periodicity, or vice versa. By manipulating the driving field parameters, we observe the time crystal’s bistability and a hysteresis loop. These investigations indicate new possibilities for control and manipulation of the temporal symmetries of non-equilibrium systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Bang Liu & Li-Hua Zhang & Yu Ma & Qi-Feng Wang & Tian-Yu Han & Jun Zhang & Zheng-Yuan Zhang & Shi-Yao Shao & Qing Li & Han-Chao Chen & Guang-Can Guo & Dong-Sheng Ding & Bao-Sen Shi, 2025. "Bifurcation of time crystals in driven and dissipative Rydberg atomic gas," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56712-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56712-1
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