Structural phase transitions in cold atoms mediated by optical feedback

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Abstract

Self-structuring via symmetry breaking is a prominent collective phenomenon occurring in cold and ultracold atoms coupled to optical fields [1] . Experimental realizations by means of trapped dipolar gases and optical cavities have shed light onto supersolidity and crystallization in out-of-equilibrium atomic systems [2] , [3] . Recent work demonstrated the occurrence of structural phase transitions between hexagonally coordinated supersolid phases in dipolar condensates [4] . In this work, we address 2D structural transitions occurring in an ensemble of cold thermal atoms with effective optomechanical interactions mediated by a coherent beam retro-reflected by means of a feedback mirror. The feedback loop scheme is represented in Fig. 1(a) , where the dipole potential induces atomic density structures which, in turn, scatter photons into side-band modes enhancing the potential itself and leading to transverse light-atom self-structuring, sharing similarities with an effective-Kerr nonlinear medium [5] .
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2021 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe & European Quantum Electronics Conference (CLEO/Europe-EQEC)
Place of PublicationPiscataway, NJ.
PublisherIEEE
ISBN (Print)9781665418768
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Sept 2021
Event2021 European Quantum Electronics Conference, EQEC 2021 - Part of 2021 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe, CLEO 2021 - Virtual, Online, Germany
Duration: 21 Jun 202125 Jun 2021

Conference

Conference2021 European Quantum Electronics Conference, EQEC 2021 - Part of 2021 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe, CLEO 2021
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityVirtual, Online
Period21/06/2125/06/21

Keywords

  • ultracold atoms
  • optical fields
  • atomic systems
  • optomechanics

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