Coherent Control of a Polariton Continuous Time Crystal

Abstract

Spontaneous breaking of time-translation symmetry and the emergence of self-sustained oscillations in quantum driven-dissipative systems is the hallmark of continuous time crystals (CTCs). An outstanding challenge is to achieve precise, coherent control of such dynamical phases, whose complex nonlinear dynamics makes them inherently difficult to manipulate. Here, we experimentally demonstrate coherent control of a solid-state CTC realized in a non-resonantly excited spin-polarized exciton-polariton condensate in a Ga(Al)As microcavity. We exploit two complementary control channels: an additional weak control laser and the optomechanical interaction with confined GHz phonons. By tuning the control laser energy and power, we stabilize distinct dynamical regimes, including frequency pushing, injection locking with continuous tuning of the limit-cycle frequency, and full suppression of the autonomous dynamics via phase locking. Under appropriate detuning conditions, the control excitation generates coherent mechanical self-oscillation through the polariton--phonon deformation-potential interaction, evidenced by spectral sidebands. The resulting dynamical back-action provides a phonon-mediated locking channel that fixes the frequency of the CTC. Together, the two channels dramatically enhance the temporal coherence of the GHz limit-cycle dynamics, as established through linewidth narrowing and time-resolved first-order correlation measurements $\gone(\tau)$. Our work establishes a way to harness the unique aspects of CTCs for practical applications in the GHz-range.