Quantum thermodynamics of boundary time-crystals

Carollo, Federico; Lesanovsky, Igor; Antezza, Mauro; De Chiara, Gabriele

Abstract

Time-translation symmetry breaking is a mechanism for the emergence of non-stationary many-body phases, so-called time-crystals, in Markovian open quantum systems. Dynamical aspects of time-crystals have been extensively explored over the recent years. However, much less is known about their thermodynamic properties, also due to the intrinsic nonequilibrium nature of these phases. Here, we consider the paradigmatic boundary time-crystal system, in a finite-temperature environment, and demonstrate the persistence of the time-crystalline phase at any temperature. Furthermore, we analyze thermodynamic aspects of the model investigating, in particular, heat currents, power exchange and irreversible entropy production. Our work sheds light on the thermodynamic cost of sustaining nonequilibrium time-crystalline phases and provides a framework for characterizing time-crystals as possible resources for, e.g. quantum sensing. Our results may be verified in experiments, for example with trapped ions or superconducting circuits, since we connect thermodynamic quantities with mean value and covariance of collective (magnetization) operators.

Citation

Carollo, F., Lesanovsky, I., Antezza, M., & De Chiara, G. (2024). Quantum thermodynamics of boundary time-crystals. Quantum Science and Technology, 9(3), Article 035024. https://doi.org/10.1088/2058-9565/ad3f42

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 16, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 7, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-07
• Deposit Date: May 3, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 7, 2024
• Journal: Quantum Science and Technology
• Print ISSN: 2058-9565
• Electronic ISSN: 2058-9565
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 3
• Article Number: 035024
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/2058-9565/ad3f42
• Keywords: open quantum systems, quantum time crystals, quantum thermodynamics
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/33839243
• Publisher URL: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2058-9565/ad3f42