Observation of the Kibble-Zurek scaling law for defect formation in ion crystals

TL;DR

This study experimentally confirms the Kibble-Zurek mechanism's scaling law for defect formation during phase transitions in cold ion crystals, demonstrating precise control and measurement capabilities.

Contribution

First experimental observation of Kibble-Zurek scaling law in ion crystals with high precision, validating theoretical predictions in an inhomogeneous finite system.

Findings

Confirmed KZM scaling law with an exponent of 2.68 +/- 0.06

Demonstrated precise control of structural phases in ion crystals

Enabled quantitative tests of classical and quantum statistical mechanics

Abstract

Traversal of a symmetry-breaking phase transition at a finite rate can lead to causallyseparated regions with incompatible symmetries and the formation of defects at their boundaries. The defect formation follows universal scaling laws prescribed by the Kibble-Zurek mechanism (KZM) important to the study of phase transitions in fields as diverse as quantum and statistical mechanics, condensed matter physics and cosmology. Here, we observe the KZM in a crystal of cold trapped ions, which is conducive to the precise control of structural phases and the detection of defects. The experiment confirms a scaling law with an exponent of 2.68 +/- 0.06, as predicted from the KZM in the finite inhomogeneous case. Such precision makes it feasible to use ion crystals for quantitative tests of classical and quantum statistical mechanics.