Abstract
We study a driven-dissipative system of atoms in the presence of laser excitation to a Rydberg state and spontaneous emission. The atoms interact via the blockade effect, whereby an atom in the Rydberg state shifts the Rydberg level of neighboring atoms. We use mean-field theory to study how the Rydberg population varies in space. As the laser frequency changes, there is a continuous transition between the uniform and antiferromagnetic phases. The nonequilibrium nature also leads to a novel oscillatory phase and bistability between the uniform and antiferromagnetic phases.
- Received 5 April 2011
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.84.031402
©2011 American Physical Society
Viewpoint
Excited atoms spin out of equilibrium
Published 12 September 2011
Excited cold atoms in Rydberg states behave similarly to certain spin systems, providing us with a versatile toolbox with which to study nonequilibrium phenomena.
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