Long-Range Interactions and Symmetry Breaking in Quantum Gases through Optical Feedback

Yong-Chang Zhang, Valentin Walther, and Thomas Pohl
Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 073604 – Published 17 August 2018
PDFHTMLExport Citation

Abstract

We consider a quasi-two-dimensional atomic Bose-Einstein condensate interacting with a near-resonant laser field that is backreflected onto the condensate by a planar mirror. We show that this single-mirror optical feedback leads to an unusual type of effective interaction between the ultracold atoms giving rise to a rich spectrum of ground states. In particular, we find that it can cause the spontaneous contraction of the quasi-two-dimensional condensate to form a self-bound one-dimensional chain of mesoscopic quantum droplets, and demonstrate that the observation of this exotic effect is within reach of current experiments.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 11 May 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.073604

© 2018 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & Optical

Authors & Affiliations

Yong-Chang Zhang*, Valentin Walther, and Thomas Pohl

  • Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 120, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

  • *yczhang@phys.au.dk

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 121, Iss. 7 — 17 August 2018

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×