Ground-state coherence versus orientation: competing mechanisms for light-induced magnetic self-organization in cold atoms

G. Labeyrie; J. G.M. Walker; G. R.M. Robb; R. Kaiser; T. Ackemann

doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.105.023505

Ground-state coherence versus orientation: competing mechanisms for light-induced magnetic self-organization in cold atoms

G. Labeyrie^*, J. G.M. Walker, G. R.M. Robb, R. Kaiser, T. Ackemann

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

39 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

We investigate the interplay between two mechanisms for magnetic self-organization in a cloud of cold rubidium atoms subjected to a retroreflected laser beam. The transition between two different phases, one linked to a spontaneous spatial modulation of the Δm=2 ground-state coherence and the other to that of the magnetic orientation (spin), can be induced by tuning either a weak transverse magnetic field or the laser intensity. We observe both first- and second-order transitions depending on the presence of the magnetic field. The experimental observations are successfully compared to extended numerical simulations based on a spin-1 model.

Original language	English
Article number	023505
Number of pages	10
Journal	Physical Review A
Volume	105
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.105.023505
Publication status	Published - 7 Feb 2022

Funding

We thank G.-L. Oppo for useful discussions. The collaboration between the two groups is supported by the CNRS-funded Laboratoire International Associé (LIA) “Solace”, the European Training Network ColOpt (funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie action, Grant No. 721465), and the Global Engagement Fund of the University of Strathclyde.

Keywords

light-matter interaction
effects of atomic coherence on light propagation
nonlinear optics
atomic gases
magnetic moment
atom & ion cooling

Access to Document

10.1103/PhysRevA.105.023505

Labeyrie-PRA-2022-Ground-state-coherence-versus-orientation-competing-mechanismsFinal published version, 2.85 MBLicence: Strath_1

Cite this

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title = "Ground-state coherence versus orientation: competing mechanisms for light-induced magnetic self-organization in cold atoms",

abstract = "We investigate the interplay between two mechanisms for magnetic self-organization in a cloud of cold rubidium atoms subjected to a retroreflected laser beam. The transition between two different phases, one linked to a spontaneous spatial modulation of the Δm=2 ground-state coherence and the other to that of the magnetic orientation (spin), can be induced by tuning either a weak transverse magnetic field or the laser intensity. We observe both first- and second-order transitions depending on the presence of the magnetic field. The experimental observations are successfully compared to extended numerical simulations based on a spin-1 model. ",

keywords = "light-matter interaction, effects of atomic coherence on light propagation, nonlinear optics, atomic gases, magnetic moment, atom & ion cooling",

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AU - Kaiser, R.

AU - Ackemann, T.

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AB - We investigate the interplay between two mechanisms for magnetic self-organization in a cloud of cold rubidium atoms subjected to a retroreflected laser beam. The transition between two different phases, one linked to a spontaneous spatial modulation of the Δm=2 ground-state coherence and the other to that of the magnetic orientation (spin), can be induced by tuning either a weak transverse magnetic field or the laser intensity. We observe both first- and second-order transitions depending on the presence of the magnetic field. The experimental observations are successfully compared to extended numerical simulations based on a spin-1 model.

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KW - effects of atomic coherence on light propagation

KW - nonlinear optics

KW - atomic gases

KW - magnetic moment

KW - atom & ion cooling

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Ground-state coherence versus orientation: competing mechanisms for light-induced magnetic self-organization in cold atoms

Abstract

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Keywords

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Collective effects and optomechanics in ultra-cold matter (ColOpt) (H2020 MCSA ETN)

Dipolar and quadrupolar spontaneous magnetic ordering in an atomic spin system mediated by light

Cite this

Ground-state coherence versus orientation: competing mechanisms for light-induced magnetic self-organization in cold atoms

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

Collective effects and optomechanics in ultra-cold matter (ColOpt) (H2020 MCSA ETN)

Activities

Dipolar and quadrupolar spontaneous magnetic ordering in an atomic spin system mediated by light

Cite this