Can Classical Dynamics Lead to Time Crystals?

[Bobbywhy]

Classical Time Crystals
Alfred Shapere and Frank Wilczek

We consider the possibility that classical dynamical systems display motion in their lowest energy state, forming a time analogue of crystalline spatial order. Challenges facing that idea are identified and overcome. We display arbitrary orbits of an angular variable as lowest-energy trajectories for nonsingular Lagrangian systems. Dynamics within orbits of broken symmetry provide a natural
arena for formation of time crystals. We exhibit models of that kind, including a model with traveling density waves.

http://arXiv:1202.2537v1

 

[marcus]

Wilczek Quantum Time Crystals
http://arxiv.org/abs/1202.2539

Shapere and Wilczek Classical Time Crystals
http://arxiv.org/abs/1202.2537