Suppression of coherent light scattering in a three-dimensional atomic array

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Lu, Yu-Kun, Lin, Hanzhen, Lyu, Jiahao, Lee, Yoo Kyung, Fedoseev, Vitaly, Ketterle, Wolfgang
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Lu, Yu-Kun
Lin, Hanzhen
Lyu, Jiahao
Lee, Yoo Kyung
Fedoseev, Vitaly
Ketterle, Wolfgang
author_facet Lu, Yu-Kun
Lin, Hanzhen
Lyu, Jiahao
Lee, Yoo Kyung
Fedoseev, Vitaly
Ketterle, Wolfgang
contents Understanding how atoms collectively interact with light is not only important for fundamental science, but also crucial for designing light-matter interfaces in quantum technologies. Over the past decades, numerous studies have focused on arranging atoms in ordered arrays and using constructive (destructive) interference to enhance (suppress) the coupling to electromagnetic fields, thereby tailoring collective light-matter interactions. These studies have mainly focused on one- and two-dimensional arrays. However, only three-dimensional (3D) arrays can demonstrate destructive interference of coherent light scattering in all directions. This omnidirectional suppression of coherent light scattering in 3D atomic arrays has thus far not been experimentally demonstrated. Here, we observe a strong reduction of light scattering in a 3D atomic array prepared in the form of a Mott insulator in optical lattices. The residual light scattering is shown to be caused by the delocalization of atoms, Raman scattering, and inelastic scattering associated with saturation. We also demonstrate how light scattering can be a sensitive probe for density fluctuations in many-body states in optical lattices, enabling us to characterize the superfluid-to-Mott insulator phase transition as well as defects generated by dynamical parameter ramps. The results of our work can be used to prepare subradiant states for photon storage and probe correlations for many-body systems in optical lattices.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_10966
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Suppression of coherent light scattering in a three-dimensional atomic array
Lu, Yu-Kun
Lin, Hanzhen
Lyu, Jiahao
Lee, Yoo Kyung
Fedoseev, Vitaly
Ketterle, Wolfgang
Quantum Gases
Atomic Physics
Quantum Physics
Understanding how atoms collectively interact with light is not only important for fundamental science, but also crucial for designing light-matter interfaces in quantum technologies. Over the past decades, numerous studies have focused on arranging atoms in ordered arrays and using constructive (destructive) interference to enhance (suppress) the coupling to electromagnetic fields, thereby tailoring collective light-matter interactions. These studies have mainly focused on one- and two-dimensional arrays. However, only three-dimensional (3D) arrays can demonstrate destructive interference of coherent light scattering in all directions. This omnidirectional suppression of coherent light scattering in 3D atomic arrays has thus far not been experimentally demonstrated. Here, we observe a strong reduction of light scattering in a 3D atomic array prepared in the form of a Mott insulator in optical lattices. The residual light scattering is shown to be caused by the delocalization of atoms, Raman scattering, and inelastic scattering associated with saturation. We also demonstrate how light scattering can be a sensitive probe for density fluctuations in many-body states in optical lattices, enabling us to characterize the superfluid-to-Mott insulator phase transition as well as defects generated by dynamical parameter ramps. The results of our work can be used to prepare subradiant states for photon storage and probe correlations for many-body systems in optical lattices.
title Suppression of coherent light scattering in a three-dimensional atomic array
topic Quantum Gases
Atomic Physics
Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.10966