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Antiferromagnetic phase transition in a nonequilibrium lattice of Rydberg atoms

Tony E. Lee, H. Häffner, and M. C. Cross
Phys. Rev. A 84, 031402(R) – Published 12 September 2011
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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.

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  • Received 5 April 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.84.031402

©2011 American Physical Society

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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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Authors & Affiliations

Tony E. Lee1, H. Häffner2, and M. C. Cross1

  • 1Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
  • 2Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA

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Issue

Vol. 84, Iss. 3 — September 2011

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