Quantum synchronization of quantum van der Pol oscillators with trapped ions

TL;DR

This paper explores how quantum fluctuations influence phase-locking in quantum van der Pol oscillators, demonstrating increased robustness in the quantum regime and proposing trapped-ion experiments for simulation.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum model of van der Pol oscillators showing enhanced phase-locking robustness and suggests feasible trapped-ion experiments for realization.

Findings

Quantum phase-locking is more robust than classical.

Trapped-ion setups can simulate quantum van der Pol oscillators.

Realistic experimental parameters are provided.

Abstract

Van der Pol oscillators are prototypical self-sustaining oscillators which have been used to model nonlinear processes in biological and other classical processes. In this work, we investigate how quantum fluctuations affect phase-locking in one or many van der Pol oscillators. We find that phase-locking is much more robust in the quantum model than in the equivalent classical model. Trapped-ion experiments are ideally suited to simulate van der Pol oscillators in the quantum regime via sideband heating and cooling of motional modes. We provide realistic experimental parameters for ${}^{171}\text{Yb}^+$ achievable with current technology.