Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics

Observation of cavity-mediated long-range light forces between strongly coupled atoms

Thomas H. Fischer, Peter Maunz, Pepijn W. H. Pinkse, Thomas Puppe, Gerhard Rempe

Published Aug 29, 2005• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Summary form only given. We report on the observation of the many-atom dipole-dipole interaction in an ensemble of ultracold rubidium atoms strongly coupled to the standing-wave field of a weakly driven high-finesse optical cavity. The atoms split the cavity resonance into two normal modes. The many-atom light force changes the spatial distribution of the atoms, creating an asymmetry in the usually symmetric normal-mode spectrum, for intracavity photon numbers much less than one. This asymmetry is investigated as a function of the number of atoms and as a function of the intracavity photon number. Moreover, analytical expressions have been derived for the dipole force and the diffusion coefficient for an atom in presence of other atoms. These expressions allow us to simulate the trajectories of several atoms simultaneously. The calculated and measured spectra agree only if the full motional dynamics of all atoms is taken into account.

DOI
10.1109/iqec.2000.908134

Related papers

Observation of Cavity-Mediated Long-Range Light Forces between Strongly Coupled Atoms

P. Münstermann, Thomas H. Fischer, Peter Maunz +2 more

We report on the observation of long-range forces between ultracold rubidium atoms that are mutually coupled by the field of a driven high-finesse optical cavity. Even for much less than one photon in the cavity on average, the forces strongly influence the spatial distribution of the atoms. This manifests itself as an asymmetric normal-mode spectrum of the strongly coupled atoms-cavity system. Expressions are given for the dipole force and the diffusion coefficient for the atoms in the presence of the other atoms. The data agree well with calculated spectra, which include the full motional dynamics of the many-atom system.

Physical Review Letters•May 1, 2000•78 citations

Dynamics of Single-Atom Motion Observed in a High-Finesse Cavity

P. Münstermann, Thomas H. Fischer, Peter Maunz +2 more

We investigate mechanical forces on single atoms in a high-finesse optical cavity containing less than one photon on average. We count the number of atoms strongly coupled to the cavity mode close to an antinode and measure the intensity autocorrelation function of the pump light transmitted through the cavity. Distinct features are observed and attributed to the dipole force, diffusion, and velocity-dependent force, as predicted by the work of Horak et al. Our data agree well with the results of a Monte Carlo simulation.

Physical Review Letters•May 10, 1999•174 citations

Observation of normal-mode splitting for an atom in an optical cavity

Robert J. Thompson, Gerhard Rempe, Harry J. Kimble

An investigation of the spectral response of a small collection of two-state atoms strongly coupled to the field of a high-finesse optical resonator is described for mean number N\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}\ensuremath{\le}10 atoms. For weak excitation, a coupling-induced normal-mode splitting is observed even for one intracavity atom, representing a direct spectroscopic measurement of the so-called vacuum Rabi splitting for the atom-cavity system.

Physical Review Letters•Feb 24, 1992•1,028 citations

Trapping single atoms with single photons

Gerhard Rempe, Thomas H. Fischer, P. Maunze +2 more

Summary form only given. The strong coupling between an atom and the light field in an optical microresonator causes a single atom to alter the transmission of the cavity significantly, allowing its continuous observation. At the same time, the strong coupling leads to novel optical forces acting on the atom. It was predicted that it should be possible to trap an atom with single intracavity photons. Using an atomic fountain, we inject single ultracold neutral atoms in the standing-wave light field of a high-finesse optical cavity. When an atom is detected in the cavity, the laser light pumping the cavity is suddenly switched to a higher value. This increases the depth of the optical dipole potential and traps the atom in the cavity field.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Aug 29, 2005•0 citations

Normal-Mode Line Shapes for Atoms in Standing-Wave Optical Resonators

James Childs, Kyungwon An, Michael S. Otteson +2 more

A high finesse standing-wave cavity mode resonantly interacting with a beam of two-level ${}^{138}\mathrm{Ba}$ atoms is weakly driven by a tunable laser. Transmitted and sidelight scattered line shapes are recorded. With mean intracavity atomic number, $〈\overline{N}〉\ensuremath{\approx}1$, we observe one-, two-, and three-peaked line shapes for strong coupling. In addition, two-peaked spectra observed in intermediate coupling demonstrate that line-shape splitting is not necessarily indicative of oscillatory atom-cavity energy exchange. Several atoms are required for $〈\overline{N}〉\ensuremath{\approx}1$, so this is not a true single-atom regime.

Physical Review Letters•Sep 30, 1996•67 citations

Phases of cold atoms interacting via photon-mediated long-range forces

Tim Keller, Simon B. Jäger, Giovanna Morigi

Abstract Atoms in high-finesse optical resonators interact via the photons they multiply scatter into the cavity modes. The dynamics is characterized by dispersive and dissipative optomechanical long-range forces, which are mediated by the cavity photons, and exhibits a steady state for certain parameter regimes. In standing-wave cavities the atoms can form stable spatial gratings. Moreover, their asymptotic distribution is a Maxwell–Boltzmann whose effective temperature is controlled by the laser parameters. In this work we show that in a two-mode standing-wave cavity the stationary state possesses the same properties and phases of the generalized Hamiltonian mean field model in the canonical ensemble. This model has three equilibrium phases: a paramagnetic, a nematic, and a ferromagnetic one, which here correspond to different spatial orders of the atomic gas and can be detected by means of the light emitted by the cavities. We further discuss perspectives for investigating in this setup the ensemble inequivalence predicted for the generalized Hamiltonian mean field model.

arXiv:1702.07653•Journal of Statistical Mechanics Theory and Experiment•Jun 1, 2017•15 citations
Summary form only given. We report on the observation of the many-atom dipole-dipole interaction in an ensemble of ultracold rubidium atoms strongly coupled to the standing-wave field of a weakly driven high-finesse optical cavity. The atoms split the cavity resonance into two normal modes. The many-atom light force changes the spatial distribution of the atoms, creating an asymmetry in the usually symmetric normal-mode spectrum, for intracavity photon numbers much less than one. This asymmetry is investigated as a function of the number of atoms and as a function of the intracavity photon number. Moreover, analytical expressions have been derived for the dipole force and the diffusion coefficient for an atom in presence of other atoms. These expressions allow us to simulate the trajectories of several atoms simultaneously. The calculated and measured spectra agree only if the full motional dynamics of all atoms is taken into account.
We report on the observation of long-range forces between ultracold rubidium atoms that are mutually coupled by the field of a driven high-finesse optical cavity. Even for much less than one photon in the cavity on average, the forces strongly influence the spatial distribution of the atoms. This manifests itself as an asymmetric normal-mode spectrum of the strongly coupled atoms-cavity system. Expressions are given for the dipole force and the diffusion coefficient for the atoms in the presence of the other atoms. The data agree well with calculated spectra, which include the full motional dynamics of the many-atom system.
We investigate mechanical forces on single atoms in a high-finesse optical cavity containing less than one photon on average. We count the number of atoms strongly coupled to the cavity mode close to an antinode and measure the intensity autocorrelation function of the pump light transmitted through the cavity. Distinct features are observed and attributed to the dipole force, diffusion, and velocity-dependent force, as predicted by the work of Horak et al. Our data agree well with the results of a Monte Carlo simulation.
Summary form only given. The strong coupling between an atom and the light field in an optical microresonator causes a single atom to alter the transmission of the cavity significantly, allowing its continuous observation. At the same time, the strong coupling leads to novel optical forces acting on the atom. It was predicted that it should be possible to trap an atom with single intracavity photons. Using an atomic fountain, we inject single ultracold neutral atoms in the standing-wave light field of a high-finesse optical cavity. When an atom is detected in the cavity, the laser light pumping the cavity is suddenly switched to a higher value. This increases the depth of the optical dipole potential and traps the atom in the cavity field.
A high finesse standing-wave cavity mode resonantly interacting with a beam of two-level 138Ba{}^{138}\mathrm{Ba}138Ba atoms is weakly driven by a tunable laser. Transmitted and sidelight scattered line shapes are recorded. With mean intracavity atomic number, $〈\overline{N}〉\ensuremath{\approx}1$, we observe one-, two-, and three-peaked line shapes for strong coupling. In addition, two-peaked spectra observed in intermediate coupling demonstrate that line-shape splitting is not necessarily indicative of oscillatory atom-cavity energy exchange. Several atoms are required for $〈\overline{N}〉\ensuremath{\approx}1$, so this is not a true single-atom regime.
Abstract Atoms in high-finesse optical resonators interact via the photons they multiply scatter into the cavity modes. The dynamics is characterized by dispersive and dissipative optomechanical long-range forces, which are mediated by the cavity photons, and exhibits a steady state for certain parameter regimes. In standing-wave cavities the atoms can form stable spatial gratings. Moreover, their asymptotic distribution is a Maxwell–Boltzmann whose effective temperature is controlled by the laser parameters. In this work we show that in a two-mode standing-wave cavity the stationary state possesses the same properties and phases of the generalized Hamiltonian mean field model in the canonical ensemble. This model has three equilibrium phases: a paramagnetic, a nematic, and a ferromagnetic one, which here correspond to different spatial orders of the atomic gas and can be detected by means of the light emitted by the cavities. We further discuss perspectives for investigating in this setup the ensemble inequivalence predicted for the generalized Hamiltonian mean field model.