Super-radiance reveals infinite-range dipole interactions through a nanofiber

Solano, P.; Barberis-Blostein, P.; Fatemi, F. K.; Orozco, L. A.; Rolston, S. L.

Abstract

Atoms interact with each other through the electromagnetic field, creating collective states that can radiate faster or slower than a single atom, i.e., super- and sub-radiance. When the field is confined to one dimension it enables infinite-range atom-atom interactions. Here we present the first report of infinite-range interactions between macroscopically separated atomic dipoles mediated by an optical waveguide. We use cold 87Rb atoms in the vicinity of a single-mode optical nanofiber (ONF) that coherently exchange evanescently coupled photons through the ONF mode. In particular, we observe super-radiance of a few atoms separated by hundreds of resonant wavelengths. The same platform allows us to measure sub- radiance, a rarely observed effect, presenting a unique tool for quantum optics. This result constitutes a proof of principle for collective behavior of macroscopically delocalized atomic states, a crucial element for new proposals in quantum information and many-body physics.

Más información

Título según WOS: ID WOS:000416895200004 Not found in local WOS DB
Título de la Revista: NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
Volumen: 8
Editorial: NATURE PORTFOLIO
Fecha de publicación: 2017
DOI:

10.1038/s41467-017-01994-3

Notas: ISI