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Self-Organization of Atoms along a Nanophotonic Waveguide

D. E. Chang, J. I. Cirac, and H. J. Kimble
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 113606 – Published 15 March 2013
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Abstract

Atoms coupled to nanophotonic interfaces represent an exciting frontier for the investigation of quantum light-matter interactions. While most work has considered the interaction between statically positioned atoms and light, here we demonstrate that a wealth of phenomena can arise from the self-consistent interaction between atomic internal states, optical scattering, and atomic forces. We consider in detail the case of atoms coupled to a one-dimensional nanophotonic waveguide and show that this interplay gives rise to the self-organization of atomic positions along the waveguide, which can be probed through distinct characteristics in the reflection and transmission spectra.

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  • Received 24 November 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.113606

© 2013 American Physical Society

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Atoms Organize Themselves

Published 15 March 2013

A theoretical model finds that atoms can organize themselves into a regularly spaced row when trapped between a pair of nanosized optical fibers.

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Authors & Affiliations

D. E. Chang1,*, J. I. Cirac2, and H. J. Kimble3,4

  • 1ICFO—Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, Mediterranean Technology Park, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain
  • 2Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Strasse 1, D-85748 Garching, Germany
  • 3IQIM, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
  • 4Norman Bridge Laboratory of Physics 12-33, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA

  • *darrick.chang@icfo.es

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Vol. 110, Iss. 11 — 15 March 2013

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