Collective motion of an atom array under laser illumination

Ephraim Shahmoon, Mikhail D. Lukin, Susanne F. Yelin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

We develop a theoretical formalism for the study of light-induced motion of atoms trapped in a two-dimensional (2D) array, considering the effect of multiple scattering of light between the atoms. We find that the atomic motion can be described by a collective diffusion equation, wherein laser-induced dipole–dipole forces couple the motion of different atoms. This coupling leads to the formation of collective mechanical modes of the array atoms, whose spatial structure and stability depend on the parameters of the illuminating laser and the geometry of the 2D array. We demonstrate the application of our formalism for the analysis of light-induced heating of the 2D array. The presented approach should be useful for treating the optomechanical properties of recently proposed quantum optical platforms made of atomic arrays.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
EditorsLouis F. Dimauro, Hélène Perrin, Susanne F. Yelin
PublisherAcademic Press Inc.
Pages1-38
Number of pages38
ISBN (Print)9780128175460
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameAdvances in Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Volume68
ISSN (Print)1049-250X

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials

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