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Quantum Synchronization Blockade: Energy Quantization Hinders Synchronization of Identical Oscillators

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

Lörch, N 
Nigg, SE 
Nunnenkamp, Andreas  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2390-7636
Tiwari, RP 
Bruder, C 

Abstract

Classically, the tendency towards spontaneous synchronization is strongest if the natural frequencies of the self-oscillators are as close as possible. We show that this wisdom fails in the deep quantum regime, where the uncertainty of amplitude narrows down to the level of single quanta. Under these circumstances identical self-oscillators cannot synchronize and detuning their frequencies can actually help synchronization. The effect can be understood in a simple picture: Interaction requires an exchange of energy. In the quantum regime, the possible quanta of energy are discrete. If the extractable energy of one oscillator does not exactly match the amount the second oscillator may absorb, interaction, and thereby synchronization, is blocked. We demonstrate this effect, which we coin quantum synchronization blockade, in the minimal example of two Kerr-type self-oscillators and predict consequences for small oscillator networks, where synchronization between blocked oscillators can be mediated via a detuned oscillator. We also propose concrete implementations with superconducting circuits and trapped ions. This paves the way for investigations of new quantum synchronization phenomena in oscillator networks both theoretically and experimentally.

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Keywords

quant-ph, quant-ph, cond-mat.supr-con, physics.atom-ph

Journal Title

Physical Review Letters

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0031-9007
1079-7114

Volume Title

118

Publisher

American Physical Society
Sponsorship
European Commission Horizon 2020 (H2020) Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) (732894)
The Royal Society (uf130303)
This work was financially supported by the Swiss SNF and the NCCR Quantum Science and Technology. A.N. holds a University Research Fellowship from the Royal Society and acknowledges support from the Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainability.