1202.1508 (Tony E. Lee et al.)

Pattern formation of quantum jumps with Rydberg atoms    [PDF]

Tony E. Lee, M. C. Cross

We study the nonequilibrium dynamics of quantum jumps in a one-dimensional
chain of atoms. Each atom is driven on a strong transition to a short-lived
state and on a weak transition to a metastable state. We choose the metastable
state to be a Rydberg state so that when an atom jumps to the Rydberg state, it
inhibits or enhances jumps in the neighboring atoms. This leads to rich
spatiotemporal dynamics that are visible in the fluorescence of the strong
transition. It also allows one to dissipatively prepare Rydberg crystals.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1202.1508