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

Complex Light and Optical Forces

Observation of optomechanical strain in a cold atomic cloud (Conference Presentation)

Noam Matzliah, Hagai Edri, Asif Sinay, Roee Ozeri, Nir Davidson

Published Mar 14, 2018• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We report the observation of the optomechanical strain applied to thermal and to quantum degenerate $^{87}Rb$ atomic clouds when illuminated by an intense, far detuned homogeneous laser beam. In this regime the atomic cloud acts as a lens which focuses the laser beam. As a back action, the atoms experience a force opposite to the beam deflection, which depends on the atomic cloud density profile. We experimentally demonstrate the basic features of this force, distinguishing it from the well-established scattering and dipole forces. The observed strain saturates, ultimately limiting the momentum impulse that can be transferred to the atoms. This optomechanical force may effectively induce inter-particle interactions, which can be optically tuned.

DOI
10.1117/12.2296677

Related papers

Observation of Optomechanical Strain in a Cold Atomic Cloud

Noam Matzliah, Hagai Edri, Asif Sinay +2 more

We report the observation of optomechanical strain applied to thermal and quantum degenerate ^{87}Rb atomic clouds when illuminated by an intense, far detuned homogeneous laser beam. In this regime the atomic cloud acts as a lens that focuses the laser beam. As a backaction, the atoms experience a force opposite to the beam deflection, which depends on the atomic cloud density profile. We experimentally demonstrate the basic features of this force, distinguishing it from the well-established scattering and dipole forces. The observed strain saturates, ultimately limiting the momentum impulse that can be transferred to the atoms. This optomechanical force may effectively induce interparticle interactions, which can be optically tuned.

arXiv:1706.04851•Physical Review Letters•Oct 19, 2017•8 citations

Observation of Light-Induced Dipole-Dipole Forces in Ultracold Atomic Gases

Mira Maiwöger, Matthias Sonnleitner, Tiantian Zhang +7 more

Light-matter interaction is well understood on the single-atom level and routinely used to manipulate atomic gases.However, in denser ensembles, collective effects emerge that are caused by light-induced dipole-dipole interactions and multiple photon scattering.Here, we report on the observation of a mechanical deformation of a cloud of ultracold 87 Rb atoms due to the collective interplay of the atoms and a homogenous light field.This collective light scattering results in a self-confining potential with interesting features: It exhibits nonlocal properties, is attractive for both red-and blue-detuned light fields, and induces a remarkably strong force that depends on the gradient of the atomic density.Our experimental observations are discussed in the framework of a theoretical model based on a local-field approach for the light scattered by the atomic cloud.Our study provides a new angle on light propagation in highdensity ensembles and expands the range of tools available for tailoring interactions in ultracold atomic gases.

arXiv:2202.00562•Physical Review X•Jul 27, 2022•7 citations

The focusing effect of cold atomic cloud with a red-detuned Gaussian beam

Zhenglu Duan, Shuyu Zhou, Hong, Tao +1 more

We have demonstrated an atom-optical lens, with the advantage of a small scale and flexible adjustment of the parameters, realized by a far red-detuned Gaussian laser beam perpendicular to the propagation direction of the cold atomic cloud. The one-dimensional transverse focusing effect of cold atomic clouds at the temperature order of 1 $μ$K freely falling through the atom-optical lens on the micron scale have been studied theoretically and then verified experimentally. It is found that theory and experiment are in good agreement.

arXiv:1108.3144•Aug 16, 2011•0 citations

The focusing and collimation effects of cold atomic clouds passing through a far red-detuned focused Gaussian beam

Zhenglu Duan

This work has theoretically studied the optical properties, such as the object-image relation and the focal length of the atom-optical lens created by far red-detuned Gaussian laser beam perpendicular to the propagation direction of the atomic cloud. Furthermore we have thoroughly studied the collimation effect when the cold atomic clouds passing through the laser beam. The effective transverse temperature can reach tens nanokelvin, which is far smaller than that by 1D polarization gradient cooling.

•Aug 1, 2011•0 citations

The Focusing and Collimation Effects of Cold Atomic Clouds Passing Through a Far Red-Detuned Focused Gaussian Beam

Zhenglu Duan

This work has theoretically studied the optical properties, such as the object-image relation and the focal length of the atom-optical lens created by far red-detuned Gaussian laser beam perpendicular to the propagation direction of the atomic cloud. Furthermore we have thoroughly studied the collimation effect when the cold atomic clouds passing through the laser beam. The effective transverse temperature can reach tens nanokelvin, which is far smaller than that by 1D polarization gradient cooling.

•Jan 1, 2011•0 citations

Collective resonance fluorescence in small and dense atom clouds: Comparison between theory and experiment

S. D. Jenkins, Janne Ruostekoski, Juha Javanainen +5 more

We study the emergence of a collective optical response of a cold and dense $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atomic cloud to a near-resonant low-intensity light when the atom number is gradually increased. Experimental observations are compared with microscopic stochastic simulations of recurrent scattering processes between the atoms that incorporate the atomic multilevel structure and the optical measurement setup. We analyze the optical response of an inhomogeneously broadened gas and find that the experimental observations of the resonance line shifts and the total collected scattered light intensity in cold atom clouds substantially deviate from those of thermal atomic ensembles, indicating strong light-induced resonant dipole-dipole interactions between the atoms. At high densities, the simulations also predict a significantly slower decay of light-induced excitations in cold than in thermal atom clouds. The role of dipole-dipole interactions is discussed in terms of resonant coupling examples and the collective radiative excitation eigenmodes of the system.

arXiv:1606.02757•Physical Review A•Aug 24, 2016•86 citations
We report the observation of the optomechanical strain applied to thermal and to quantum degenerate 87Rb^{87}Rb87Rb atomic clouds when illuminated by an intense, far detuned homogeneous laser beam. In this regime the atomic cloud acts as a lens which focuses the laser beam. As a back action, the atoms experience a force opposite to the beam deflection, which depends on the atomic cloud density profile. We experimentally demonstrate the basic features of this force, distinguishing it from the well-established scattering and dipole forces. The observed strain saturates, ultimately limiting the momentum impulse that can be transferred to the atoms. This optomechanical force may effectively induce inter-particle interactions, which can be optically tuned.
We report the observation of optomechanical strain applied to thermal and quantum degenerate ^{87}Rb atomic clouds when illuminated by an intense, far detuned homogeneous laser beam. In this regime the atomic cloud acts as a lens that focuses the laser beam. As a backaction, the atoms experience a force opposite to the beam deflection, which depends on the atomic cloud density profile. We experimentally demonstrate the basic features of this force, distinguishing it from the well-established scattering and dipole forces. The observed strain saturates, ultimately limiting the momentum impulse that can be transferred to the atoms. This optomechanical force may effectively induce interparticle interactions, which can be optically tuned.
Light-matter interaction is well understood on the single-atom level and routinely used to manipulate atomic gases.However, in denser ensembles, collective effects emerge that are caused by light-induced dipole-dipole interactions and multiple photon scattering.Here, we report on the observation of a mechanical deformation of a cloud of ultracold 87 Rb atoms due to the collective interplay of the atoms and a homogenous light field.This collective light scattering results in a self-confining potential with interesting features: It exhibits nonlocal properties, is attractive for both red-and blue-detuned light fields, and induces a remarkably strong force that depends on the gradient of the atomic density.Our experimental observations are discussed in the framework of a theoretical model based on a local-field approach for the light scattered by the atomic cloud.Our study provides a new angle on light propagation in highdensity ensembles and expands the range of tools available for tailoring interactions in ultracold atomic gases.
We have demonstrated an atom-optical lens, with the advantage of a small scale and flexible adjustment of the parameters, realized by a far red-detuned Gaussian laser beam perpendicular to the propagation direction of the cold atomic cloud. The one-dimensional transverse focusing effect of cold atomic clouds at the temperature order of 1 μμμK freely falling through the atom-optical lens on the micron scale have been studied theoretically and then verified experimentally. It is found that theory and experiment are in good agreement.
This work has theoretically studied the optical properties, such as the object-image relation and the focal length of the atom-optical lens created by far red-detuned Gaussian laser beam perpendicular to the propagation direction of the atomic cloud. Furthermore we have thoroughly studied the collimation effect when the cold atomic clouds passing through the laser beam. The effective transverse temperature can reach tens nanokelvin, which is far smaller than that by 1D polarization gradient cooling.
This work has theoretically studied the optical properties, such as the object-image relation and the focal length of the atom-optical lens created by far red-detuned Gaussian laser beam perpendicular to the propagation direction of the atomic cloud. Furthermore we have thoroughly studied the collimation effect when the cold atomic clouds passing through the laser beam. The effective transverse temperature can reach tens nanokelvin, which is far smaller than that by 1D polarization gradient cooling.
We study the emergence of a collective optical response of a cold and dense 87Rb^{87}\mathrm{Rb}87Rb atomic cloud to a near-resonant low-intensity light when the atom number is gradually increased. Experimental observations are compared with microscopic stochastic simulations of recurrent scattering processes between the atoms that incorporate the atomic multilevel structure and the optical measurement setup. We analyze the optical response of an inhomogeneously broadened gas and find that the experimental observations of the resonance line shifts and the total collected scattered light intensity in cold atom clouds substantially deviate from those of thermal atomic ensembles, indicating strong light-induced resonant dipole-dipole interactions between the atoms. At high densities, the simulations also predict a significantly slower decay of light-induced excitations in cold than in thermal atom clouds. The role of dipole-dipole interactions is discussed in terms of resonant coupling examples and the collective radiative excitation eigenmodes of the system.