The dynamics of excitons in a one-dimensional ensemble with partial spatial order are studied. During optical excitation, cold Rydberg atoms spontaneously organize into regular spatial arrangements due to their mutual interactions. This emergent lattice is used as the starting point to study resonant energy transfer triggered by driving a $nS$ to ${n}^{\ensuremath{'}}P$ transition using a microwave field. The dynamics are probed by detecting the survival probability of atoms in the $nS$ Rydberg state. Experimental data qualitatively agree with our theoretical predictions including the mapping onto the $XXZ$ spin model in the strong-driving limit. Our results suggest that emergent Rydberg lattices provide an ideal platform to study coherent energy transfer in structured media without the need for externally imposed potentials.The dynamics of excitons in a one-dimensional ensemble with partial spatial order are studied. During optical excitation, cold Rydberg atoms spontaneously organize into regular spatial arrangements due to their mutual interactions. This emergent lattice is used as the starting point to study resonant energy transfer triggered by driving a $nS$ to ${n}^{\ensuremath{'}}P$ transition using a microwave field. The dynamics are probed by detecting the survival probability of atoms in the $nS$ Rydberg state. Experimental data qualitatively agree with our theoretical predictions including the mapping onto the $XXZ$ spin model in the strong-driving limit. Our results suggest that emergent Rydberg lattices provide an ideal platform to study coherent energy transfer in structured media without the need for externally imposed potentials.

arXiv:1306.0869Physical Review AOct 31, 201345 citations

nS

to ${n}^{\ensuremath{'}}P$ transition using a microwave field. The dynamics are probed by detecting the survival probability of atoms in the

nS

Rydberg state. Experimental data qualitatively agree with our theoretical predictions including the mapping onto the

XXZ

spin model in the strong-driving limit. Our results suggest that emergent Rydberg lattices provide an ideal platform to study coherent energy transfer in structured media without the need for externally imposed potentials.