Generalised Dicke non-equilibrium dynamics in trapped ions

TL;DR

This paper investigates non-equilibrium phases in a generalized Dicke model using trapped ions, revealing complex dynamical behaviors like superradiance and phonon-lasing, which can be experimentally observed via fluorescence.

Contribution

It introduces a minimal model capturing the key physics of non-equilibrium phases in trapped ions and proposes an experimental setup with Ca+ ions to observe these phenomena.

Findings

Identification of a rich dynamical phase diagram including superradiant regimes

Observation of phase-coexistence and phonon-lasing behaviors

Feasibility of in situ probing through fluorescence in trapped ion systems

Abstract

We explore trapped ions as a setting to investigate non-equilibrium phases in a generalised Dicke model of dissipative spins coupled to phonon modes. We find a rich dynamical phase diagram including superradiant-like regimes, dynamical phase-coexistence and phonon-lasing behaviour. A particular advantage of trapped ions is that these phases and transitions among them can be probed in situ through fluorescence. We demonstrate that the main physical insights are captured by a minimal model and consider an experimental realisation with Ca+ ions trapped in a linear Paul trap.