arXiv:1112.0336 · Physical Review Letters
Two-Dimensional Double-Quantum Spectra Reveal Collective Resonances in an Atomic Vapor
Xingcan Dai, Marten Richter, Hebin Li, Alan D. Bristow, Cyril Falvo, Shaul Mukamel, Steven T. Cundiff
Abstract
We report the observation of double-quantum coherence signals in a gas of potassium atoms at twice the frequency of the one-quantum coherences. Since a single atom does not have a state at the corresponding energy, this observation must be attributed to a collective resonance involving multiple atoms. These resonances are induced by weak interatomic dipole-dipole interactions, which means that the atoms cannot be treated in isolation, even at a low density of 10(12) cm(-3).