Stick-slip dynamics of a stressed ion crystal - art. no. 183001

We study the control of the rotation of a laser-cooled ion crystal in a Pen ning trap by a rotating electric field perturbation. We show that applicati on of a small torque produces sudden angular jumps or "slips" of the crysta l orientation spaced by intervals when the crystal is phase locked or "stuc k" relative to the rotating perturbation. The distribution of angular slips is described by a power law, where the power-law exponent depends on the a pplied torque. We believe this system is driven by a constant force and sma ll perturbations or thermal effects trigger the slips.