Classical time crystals

Alfred Shapere, Frank Wilczek

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

250 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number160402
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume109
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 15 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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