Observation of coherent coupling between super- and subradiant states of an ensemble of cold atoms collectively coupled to a single propagating optical mode

Abstract

We discuss the evolution of the quantum state of an ensemble of atoms that are coupled via a single propagating optical mode. We theoretically show that the quantum state of N atoms, which are initially prepared in the timed Dicke state, evolves through all the N - 1 states that are subradiant with respect to the propagating mode. We predict this process to occur for any atom number and any atom-light coupling strength. These findings are supported by measurements performed with cold cesium atoms coupled to the evanescent field of an optical nanofiber. We experimentally observe the evolution of the state of the ensemble passing through the first two subradiant states, leading to sudden, temporary switch-offs of the optical power emitted into the nanofiber. Our results contribute to the fundamental understanding of collective atom-light interaction and apply to all physical systems, whose description involves timed Dicke states.

9 pages, 5 figures

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Cited by in corpus (9)

• Observation of superradiant bursts in a cascaded quantum system
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• Large-N limit of spontaneous superradiance
• Triggered Superradiance and Inversion Storage in a Hybrid Quantum System
• Optical interpretation of linear-optics superradiance and subradiance
• Enhanced dark-state sideband cooling in trapped atoms via photon-mediated dipole-dipole interactions
• Modified dipole-dipole interactions in the presence of a nanophotonic waveguide
• Optical precursors in waveguide quantum electrodynamics
• State Carving in a Chirally-Coupled Atom-Nanophotonic Cavity