Generalised Dicke non-equilibrium dynamics in trapped ions

Abstract

We explore trapped ions as a setting to investigate non-equilibrium phases in a generalised Dicke model of dissipative spins coupled to phonon modes. We find a rich dynamical phase diagram including superradiant-like regimes, dynamical phase-coexistence and phonon-lasing behaviour. A particular advantage of trapped ions is that these phases and transitions among them can be probed in situ through fluorescence. We demonstrate that the main physical insights are captured by a minimal model and consider an experimental realisation with Ca+ ions trapped in a linear Paul trap.