Van der Waals interactions between ultracold atoms excited to high-lying Rydberg states can lead to strongly correlated excitation dynamics [1]. In my talk I will present a direct observation in real space of the mechanical effect of the van der Waals force on individual Rydberg atoms excited at close range [2]. Clusters of Rydberg atoms are created by first generating a small number of seed excitations in a magneto-optical trap, followed by off-resonant excitation that leads to a chain of facilitated excitation events. Our experimental results agree well with a numerical simulation of the van der Waals explosion.
Van der Waals explosion of cold Rydberg clusters
CIAMPINI, DONATELLA
2015-01-01
Abstract
Van der Waals interactions between ultracold atoms excited to high-lying Rydberg states can lead to strongly correlated excitation dynamics [1]. In my talk I will present a direct observation in real space of the mechanical effect of the van der Waals force on individual Rydberg atoms excited at close range [2]. Clusters of Rydberg atoms are created by first generating a small number of seed excitations in a magneto-optical trap, followed by off-resonant excitation that leads to a chain of facilitated excitation events. Our experimental results agree well with a numerical simulation of the van der Waals explosion.File in questo prodotto:
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