We develop the research achievement of recent work [G\"arttner et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 233002 (2014)], in which an anomalous excitation enhancement is observed in a three-level Rydberg-atom ensemble with many-body coherence. In our theoretical analysis, this effect is ascribed to the existence of a quasidark state as well as its avoided crossings to nearby Rydberg-dressed states. Moreover, we show that with an appropriate control of the optical detuning to the intermediate state, the enhancement can evoke a direct facilitation to atom-light coupling that even breaks through the conventional $\sqrt{N}$ limit of strong-blockaded ensembles. As a consequence, the intensity of the probe laser for intermediate transition can be reduced considerably, increasing the feasibility of experiments with Rydberg-dressed atoms.We develop the research achievement of recent work [G\"arttner et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 233002 (2014)], in which an anomalous excitation enhancement is observed in a three-level Rydberg-atom ensemble with many-body coherence. In our theoretical analysis, this effect is ascribed to the existence of a quasidark state as well as its avoided crossings to nearby Rydberg-dressed states. Moreover, we show that with an appropriate control of the optical detuning to the intermediate state, the enhancement can evoke a direct facilitation to atom-light coupling that even breaks through the conventional $\sqrt{N}$ limit of strong-blockaded ensembles. As a consequence, the intensity of the probe laser for intermediate transition can be reduced considerably, increasing the feasibility of experiments with Rydberg-dressed atoms.

arXiv:1710.10149Physical Review ANov 17, 20174 citations

Rydberg-Rydberg Interactions in Dense Systems of Highly Excited Atoms

S. Haroche, Guy Vitrant, J. M. Raimond

Springer series in optical sciences/SPringer series in optical sciencesJan 1, 19810 citations

Rydberg-Dressed Magneto-optical Trap

Alistair D. Bounds, Niamh Jackson, R Hanley +4 more

We propose and demonstrate the laser cooling and trapping of Rydberg-dressed Sr atoms. By off-resonantly coupling the excited state of a narrow (7 kHz) cooling transition to a high-lying Rydberg state, we transfer Rydberg properties such as enhanced electric polarizability to a stable magneto-optical trap operating at <1 μK. Simulations show that it is possible to reach a regime where the long-range interaction between Rydberg-dressed atoms becomes comparable to the kinetic energy, opening a route to combining laser cooling with tunable long-range interactions.We propose and demonstrate the laser cooling and trapping of Rydberg-dressed Sr atoms. By off-resonantly coupling the excited state of a narrow (7 kHz) cooling transition to a high-lying Rydberg state, we transfer Rydberg properties such as enhanced electric polarizability to a stable magneto-optical trap operating at <1 μK. Simulations show that it is possible to reach a regime where the long-range interaction between Rydberg-dressed atoms becomes comparable to the kinetic energy, opening a route to combining laser cooling with tunable long-range interactions.

arXiv:1801.03846Physical Review LettersMay 4, 201835 citations

Controlling Rydberg-dressed four-wave mixing via dual electromagnetically induced transparency windows

Zhaoyang Zhang, Haijun Tang, Irfan Ahmed +4 more

Rydberg-dressed four-wave mixing (FWM) is theoretically and experimentally demonstrated with two electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) windows generated in a Y-type Rb85 atomic configuration. Such dressing effect related to Rydberg states can lead to enhancement and suppression in the FWM process, which can be manipulated by the frequency detuning, Rabi frequency, and polarization of laser fields. Particularly, with the enhancement condition satisfied, coexisting FWM and Rydberg six-wave mixing (SWM) peaks with ultranarrow linewidth (much less than 30 MHz) are simultaneously observed. The controllable enhancement and suppression in a Rydberg-EIT medium can provide a novel nondestructive nonlinear method to investigate the spectrum involving Rydberg excitation in the atomic ensemble above room temperature.Rydberg-dressed four-wave mixing (FWM) is theoretically and experimentally demonstrated with two electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) windows generated in a Y-type Rb85 atomic configuration. Such dressing effect related to Rydberg states can lead to enhancement and suppression in the FWM process, which can be manipulated by the frequency detuning, Rabi frequency, and polarization of laser fields. Particularly, with the enhancement condition satisfied, coexisting FWM and Rydberg six-wave mixing (SWM) peaks with ultranarrow linewidth (much less than 30 MHz) are simultaneously observed. The controllable enhancement and suppression in a Rydberg-EIT medium can provide a novel nondestructive nonlinear method to investigate the spectrum involving Rydberg excitation in the atomic ensemble above room temperature.

Journal of the Optical Society of America BJul 12, 20163 citations

Single-atom and multi-atom Excitation to Rydberg states

R. Han, Hui Khoon Ng, Berthold‐Georg Englert

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyJun 7, 20120 citations

\sqrt{N}

limit of strong-blockaded ensembles. As a consequence, the intensity of the probe laser for intermediate transition can be reduced considerably, increasing the feasibility of experiments with Rydberg-dressed atoms.