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This content will become publicly available on March 1, 2026

Title: Experimental Realization of Discrete Time Quasicrystals
Floquet (periodically driven) systems can give rise to unique nonequilibrium phases of matter without equilibrium analogs. The most prominent example is the realization of discrete time crystals. An intriguing question emerges: What other novel phases can manifest when the constraint of time periodicity is relaxed? In this study, we explore quantum systems subjected to a quasiperiodic drive. Leveraging a strongly interacting spin ensemble in diamond, we identify the emergence of long-lived discrete time quasicrystals. Unlike conventional time crystals, time quasicrystals exhibit robust subharmonic responses at multiple incommensurate frequencies. Furthermore, we show that the multifrequency nature of the quasiperiodic drive allows for the formation of diverse patterns associated with different discrete time quasicrystalline phases. Our findings demonstrate the existence of nonequilibrium phases in quasi-Floquet settings, significantly broadening the catalog of novel phenomena in driven many-body quantum systems. Published by the American Physical Society2025  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2317134
PAR ID:
10581056
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
Physical Review X
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Physical Review X
Volume:
15
Issue:
1
ISSN:
2160-3308
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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