Many-body nonequilibrium dynamics in a self-induced Floquet system

TL;DR

This paper experimentally demonstrates a self-induced Floquet system using Rydberg gases, revealing a discrete time crystalline phase and advancing understanding of nonequilibrium dynamics in driven quantum systems.

Contribution

It introduces a novel self-induced Floquet system in Rydberg gases and explores its nonequilibrium phases, including the discrete time crystalline phase.

Findings

Observation of a self-induced Floquet system in Rydberg gases

Identification of a dissipative discrete time crystalline phase

Probing of nonequilibrium dynamics via Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency

Abstract

Floquet systems are periodically driven systems. In this framework, the system Hamiltonian and associated spectra of interest are modified, giving rise to new quantum phases of matter and nonequilibrium dynamics without static counterparts. Here we experimentally demonstrate a self-induced Floquet system in the interacting Rydberg gas. This originates from the photoionization of thermal Rydberg gases in a static magnetic field. Importantly, by leveraging the Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency spectrum, we probe the nonequilibrium dynamics in the bistable regime and identify the emergence of a discrete time crystalline phase. Our work fills the experimental gap in the understanding the relation of multistability and dissipative discrete time crystalline phase. In this regard, it constitutes a highly controlled platform for exploring exotic nonequilibrium physics in dissipative interacting systems.