Collective quantum jumps of Rydberg atoms

We study an open quantum system of atoms with a long-range Rydberg interaction, laser driving, and spontaneous emission. Over time, the system occasionally jumps between a state of low Rydberg population and a state of high Rydberg population. The jumps are inherently collective, and in fact, exist...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2012-01, Vol.108 (2), p.023602-023602, Article 023602
Main Authors: Lee, Tony E, Häffner, H, Cross, M C
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:We study an open quantum system of atoms with a long-range Rydberg interaction, laser driving, and spontaneous emission. Over time, the system occasionally jumps between a state of low Rydberg population and a state of high Rydberg population. The jumps are inherently collective, and in fact, exist only for a large number of atoms. We explain how entanglement and quantum measurement enable the jumps, which are otherwise classically forbidden.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.023602