Optical superradiance in solids

A. V. Andreev

Xue‐Feng Zhang, Qing Sun, Yu-Chuan Wen +3 more

We study an optical cavity coupled to a lattice of Rydberg atoms, which can be represented by a generalized Dicke model. We show that the competition between the atom-atom interaction and atom-light coupling induces a rich phase diagram. A novel superradiant solid (SRS) phase is found, where both the superradiance and crystalline orders coexist. Different from the normal second order superradiance transition, here both the solid-1/2 and SRS to SR phase transitions are first order. These results are confirmed by large scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations.

Gao-Qi An, Yan-Hua Zhou, Tao Wang +1 more

We study the two-dimensional Rydberg atom array in an optical cavity with the help of a variational method and large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations. The strong dipole-dipole interactions between Rydberg atoms can make the system exhibit a crystal structure, and the coupling between a two-level atom and a cavity photon mode can result in the formation of a polariton. The interplay between them provides a rich quantum phase diagram including the Mott, solid-1/2, superradiant, and superradiant solid (SRS) phases. As a two-order coexisted phase, the superradiant solid breaks both translational and U(1) symmetries. Different from the fragile SRS phase in a one-dimensional system [Zhang et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 090402 (2013)], the SRS phase stays in a larger parameter region. Thus, it is more feasible to detect a SRS phase and corresponding quantum criticality in the real system involving dissipations. Our work not only extends the understanding of the light-atom interacting system, but also provides the guidelines and benchmark for the future experiments.

Stephen G. Benka

Alexei A. Kalachev, Самарцев Виталий Владимирович

The multipulse regime of excitation of optical superradiance in both two- and multilevel systems is theoretically investigated. It is demonstrated that this regime is the generalization of the triggering regime of superradiance excitation. The possibilities of information processing and laser cooling of solids under this superradiant regime are discussed.