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

authored by: Mira Maiwöger, Matthias Sonnleitner, Tiantian Zhang, Igor Mazets, Marion Mallweger, Dennis Rätzel, Filippo Borselli, Sebastian Erne, Jörg Schmiedmayer, Philipp Haslinger
Abstract: 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 Rb87 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 high-density ensembles and expands the range of tools available for tailoring interactions in ultracold atomic gases.
External Organisation(s): TU Wien (TUW)
University of Innsbruck
University of Vienna
Stockholm University
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin)
Type: Article
Journal: Physical Review X
Volume: 12
ISSN: 2160-3308
Publication date: 07.2022
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: General Physics and Astronomy
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.12.031018 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{ea09d114ea5548bc87936de80ef167dc,
title = "Observation of Light-Induced Dipole-Dipole Forces in Ultracold Atomic Gases",
abstract = "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 Rb87 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 high-density ensembles and expands the range of tools available for tailoring interactions in ultracold atomic gases.",
author = "Mira Maiw{\"o}ger and Matthias Sonnleitner and Tiantian Zhang and Igor Mazets and Marion Mallweger and Dennis R{\"a}tzel and Filippo Borselli and Sebastian Erne and J{\"o}rg Schmiedmayer and Philipp Haslinger",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 authors. Published by the American Physical Society.",
year = "2022",
month = jul,
doi = "10.1103/PhysRevX.12.031018",
language = "English",
volume = "12",
journal = "Physical Review X",
issn = "2160-3308",
publisher = "American Physical Society",
number = "3",
}