Two-dimensional Rydberg gases and the quantum hard-squares model

We study a two-dimensional lattice gas of atoms that are photoexcited to Rydberg states in which they interact via the van?der?Waals interaction. We explore the regime of dominant nearest-neighbor interaction where this system is intimately connected with a quantum version of Baxter's hard-squares model. We show that the strongly correlated ground state of the Rydberg gas can be analytically described by a projected entangled pair state that constitutes the ground state of the quantum hard-squares model. This correspondence allows us to identify a phase boundary where the Rydberg gas undergoes a transition from a disordered (liquid) phase to an ordered (solid) phase.     

Thermodynamics of a gas of deconfined bosonic spinons in two dimensions

We consider the quantum phase transition between a Néel antiferromagnet and a valence-bond solid (VBS) in a two-dimensional system of S = 1/2 spins. Assuming that the excitations of the critical ground state are linearly dispersing deconfined spinons obeying Bose statistics, we derive expressions for the specific heat C and the magnetic susceptibility χ at low temperature T in terms of a correlation length ξ(T). Comparing with quantum Monte Carlo results for the J-Q model, which is a candidate for a deconfined Néel-VBS transition, we obtain an almost perfect consistency between C, χ, and ξ. The corresponding expressions for magnon (triplet) excitations are not internally consistent, however, lending strong support for spinon excitations in the J-Q model.     

Bose-Einstein condensation of incommensurate solid 4He

It is pointed out that the simulation computation of energy performed so far cannot be used to decide if the ground state of solid 4He has the number of lattice sites equal to the number of atoms (commensurate state) or if it is different (incommensurate state). The best variational wave function, a shadow wave function, gives an incommensurate state, but the equilibrium concentration of vacancies remains to be determined. We have computed the one-body density matrix in solid 4He for the incommensurate state by means of an exact ground state projector method in which incommensurability occurs spontaneously. We find a vacancy induced Bose-Einstein condensation of about 0.23 atoms per vacancy at a pressure of 54 bar. This means that bulk solid 4He is supersolid at low enough temperature if the exact ground state is incommensurate.     

Precise measurement of a weak radio frequency electric field using a resonant atomic probe

We present a precise measurement of a weak radio frequency electric field with a frequency of ■3 GHz employing a resonant atomic probe that is constituted with a Rydberg cascade three-level atom, including a cesium ground state |6S(1/2)〉,an excited state |6P(3/2)〉, and Rydberg state |nD(5/2)〉. Two radio frequency(RF) electric fields, noted as local and signal fields, couple the nearby Rydberg transition. The two-photon resonant Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency(Rydberg-EIT) is employed to directly read out the weak signal field having hundreds of k Hz difference between the local and signal fields that is encoded in the resonant microwave-dressed Rydberg atoms. The minimum detectable signal fields of ESmin= 1.36 ± 0.04 mV/m for 2.18 GHz coupling |68D(5/2)〉→ |69P(3/2)〉 transition and 1.33 ± 0.02 mV/m for 1.32 GHz coupling |80D(5/2)〉→ |81P(3/2)〉 transition are obtained, respectively. The bandwidth dependence is also investigated by varying the signal field frequency and corresponding -3 dB bandwidth of 3 MHz is attained. This method can be employed to perform a rapid and precise measurement of the weak electric field, which is important for the atom-based microwave metrology.     

Singlet-triplet excitations in the unconventional spin-Peierls TiOBr compound

We have performed time-of-flight neutron scattering measurements on powder samples of the unconventional spin-Peierls compound TiOBr using the fine-resolution Fermi chopper spectrometer (SEQUOIA) at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. These measurements reveal two branches of magnetic excitations within the commensurate and incommensurate spin-Peierls phases, which we associate with n=1 and n=2 triplet excitations out of the singlet ground state. These results represent the first direct measurement of the singlet-triplet energy gap in TiOBr, which has a value of E(g)=21.2±1.0 meV.     

Density matrix renormalization group numerical study of the kagome antiferromagnet

We numerically study the spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on the kagome lattice using the density-matrix renormalization group method. We find that the ground state is a magnetically disordered spin liquid, characterized by an exponential decay of spin-spin correlation function in real space and a magnetic structure factor showing system-size independent peaks at commensurate magnetic wave vectors. We obtain a spin triplet excitation gap DeltaE(S=1)=0.055+/-0.005 by extrapolation based on the large size results, and confirm the presence of gapless singlet excitations. The physical nature of such an exotic spin liquid is also discussed.     

Rydberg states in the condensed phase studied by fluorescence depletion spectroscopy

Higher Rydberg states of NO trapped in rare gas matrices have been studied by inducing Rydberg-Rydberg transitions from the lowest Rydberg state and detecting its fluorescence depletion. This technique unravels Rydberg states, which cannot be accessed by ground state absorption. However, no clear cut Rydberg series show up. The data show a compression of the n-(n + 1) splittings between Rydberg states, as well as of the splittings. The results are rationalised in terms of the quantum defect model and the lack of extended Rydberg series is due to the compression of high-n Rydberg states in a tiny energy region below the ionisation potential. Finally, fluorescence depletion data of NO trapped in amorphous sites (the so-called red sites) of solid Ar can be interpreted in terms of the gas phase NO-Ar van der Waals data. A general discussion on the fate of Rydberg states in van der Waals complexes, in liquids, and in solids is presented in an attempt to relate the data in these different media. Received 28 July 1999 and Received in final form 8 November 1999     

超冷铯Rydberg原子的Autler-Townes分裂

主要研究超冷铯Rydberg原子阶梯型三能级系统的Autler-Townes(A-T)分裂.铯原子基态6S_(1/2)、第一激发态6P_(3/2)和Rydberg态形成阶梯型三能级系统,强耦合光共振作用于6P_(3/2)(F′=5)→34D_(5/2)的跃迁,探测光由偏振光谱锁定在6S_(1/2)(F=4)→6P_(3/2)(F′=5)的跃迁,并由双通的声光调制器在其共振跃迁附近扫描,形成的Rydberg原子A-T分裂谱由单光子计数器探测.A-T光谱的双峰间距与耦合光的拉比频率成正比,实验结果与理论计算在耦合光拉比频率Ω_c2π×9 MHz时符合得很好,在拉比频率Ω_c2π×9 MHz时,测量的A-T分裂比理论计算值小13%.产生偏差的主要原因是由于较大的耦合光拉比频率Ω_c增加了激发的Rydberg原子数,Rydberg原子间的相互作用产生了较大的退相干率所致.     

Rydberg原子nS1/2→(n+1)S1/2双光子激发EIT-AT光谱

主要研究了热原子蒸气池中铯Rydberg原子nS_1/2→(n+1)S_1/2微波耦合的双光子光谱.铯原子基态(6S_1/2)、第一激发态(6P_3/2)、Rydberg态(69S_1/2)形成阶梯型三能级系统,弱探测光作用于基态到激发态6S_1/2→6P_3/2的跃迁,强耦合光则作用于6P_3/2→69S_1/2的Rydberg跃迁形成电磁感应透明(EIT)效应,实现对Rydberg原子的光学探测.频率fMW=11.735 GHz的微波场耦合69S_1/2→70S_1/2的Rydberg跃迁,形成微波双光子光谱.利用EIT-AT分裂光谱研究微波电场强度对双光子光谱的影响.研究表明:在强微波场作用时,EIT-AT分裂与微波场功率成正比,而弱微波场时的EIT-AT分裂与微波场功率成非线性依赖关系,理论计算与实验测量结果相一致.本文的研究对微波电场的精密测量具有一定的指导意义.     

Rydberg原子nS1/2→(n+1)S1/2双光子激发EIT-AT光谱

主要研究了热原子蒸气池中铯Rydberg原子nS_1/2→(n+1)S_1/2微波耦合的双光子光谱.铯原子基态(6S_1/2)、第一激发态(6P_3/2)、Rydberg态(69S_1/2)形成阶梯型三能级系统,弱探测光作用于基态到激发态6S_1/2→6P_3/2的跃迁,强耦合光则作用于6P_3/2→69S_1/2的Rydberg跃迁形成电磁感应透明(EIT)效应,实现对Rydberg原子的光学探测.频率fMW=11.735 GHz的微波场耦合69S_1/2→70S_1/2的Rydberg跃迁,形成微波双光子光谱.利用EIT-AT分裂光谱研究微波电场强度对双光子光谱的影响.研究表明:在强微波场作用时,EIT-AT分裂与微波场功率成正比,而弱微波场时的EIT-AT分裂与微波场功率成非线性依赖关系,理论计算与实验测量结果相一致.本文的研究对微波电场的精密测量具有一定的指导意义.     

弱射频场中Rydberg原子的电磁感应透明

在铯原子室温蒸气池中研究了弱射频场中Rydberg原子阶梯型三能级系统的电磁感应透明(EIT)效应.铯原子基态6S_(1/2)、第一激发态6P_(3/2)和Rydberg 48D_(5/2)态形成阶梯型三能级系统,探测光共振作用于6S_(1/2)(F=4)→6P_(3/2)(F′=5)的跃迁,耦合光在Rydberg跃迁线6P_(3/2)(F′=5)→48D_(5/2)附近扫描,形成Rydberg原子EIT.当对铯原子施加一个80 MHz的弱射频电场时,48D_(5/2)Rydberg原子的EIT光谱发生Stark频移和分裂,同时产生由射频场调制Rydberg能级的偶数级边带,测量结果与Floquet理论模拟的结果相符合.同时,改变弱射频电场的频率研究了铯Rydberg能级的自电离效应对Rydberg原子Stark谱的影响,据此,我们提出将电极板置于铯原子蒸气池内的方案以减少自电离效应的影响.在弱射频Stark谱中,mj=5/2的Stark谱与mj=1/2,3/2的二级边带形成多个能级交叉,这些能级交叉点提供了一种基于原子的精确校准射频电场的新方法.     

Measurement of the argon-gas-induced broadening and line shifting of the barium Rydberg level 6s24d ¹D₂ by two-photon resonant nondegenerate four-wave mixing

We apply two-photon resonant nondegenerate four-wave mixing with a resonant intermediate state to the observation of the broadening and shifting of the barium Rydberg level 6s24d 1D2 by collision with argon.The collision broadening and shifting cross sections are measured.This technique is purely optical,and can investigate the pressure dependence of the transverse relaxation rate Γ21 between the Rydberg state and an intermediate state,as well as the transverse relaxation rate Γ20 between the Rydberg state and the ground state.     

From semiconductors to superconductors: a simple model for pseudogaps

We consider a two-dimensional semiconductor with a local attraction among the carriers. We study the ground state of this system as a function of the semiconductor gap. We find a direct transition from a superconducting to an insulating phase for no doping at a critical value, the single particle excitations being always gapped. For finite doping we find a smooth crossover. We calculate the critical temperature due to both the particle excitations and the Berezinkii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition. Received 8 December 1998     

49S里德堡态的射频双光子光谱

在室温铯原子蒸气池中, 由铯原子基态、激发态和里德堡态构建了阶梯型三能级系统, 研究了里德堡原子阶梯型三能级系统的电磁感应透明(EIT). 在实现电磁感应透明的基础上, 利用16.9 GHz的射频电场耦合相邻的原子里德堡态, 实现49S_1/2→47D_3/2的双光子跃迁, 测量了里德堡原子的射频双光子光谱, 观察到了电磁感应透明光谱的分裂, 进一步研究了电场强度对射频双光子光谱的影响. 利用里德堡原子的EIT效应可实现对射频电场幅值和极化的精密测量, 具有潜在的应用前景.     

铯原子nP_(3/2)(n=70—94)里德伯态的紫外单光子激发及量子亏损测量

基于成熟的光纤激光器、光纤放大器及高效激光频率转换技术,我们在实验中研制了一套瓦级输出的窄线宽连续波单频可调谐318.6 nm紫外激光系统,并在室温铯原子气室中实现了6S_(1/2)—nP_(3/2)(n=70—94)单光子跃迁里德伯激发.借助由铯原子6S_(1/2)(F=4)基态、6P_(3/2)(F′=5)激发态和nP_(3/2)(n=70—94)里德伯态构成的V型三能级系统,通过频率锁定于铯原子6S_(1/2)(F=4)—6P_(3/2)(F′=5)超精细跃迁的852.3 nm探测光束的吸收减弱信号获得了里德伯态的信息,并利用高精度波长计测量了铯原子nP_(3/2)(n=70—94)里德伯态的量子亏损值.经过与理论计算值的变化趋势进行对比,我们认为由于原子气室的里德伯屏蔽效应并不能完全屏蔽外部直流电场,铯原子气室内存在残余的直流电场,影响了对里德伯态的量子亏损值的实验测量.利用残余直流电场的Stark效应理论模型及其与有效主量子数n*的依赖关系,对铯原子里德伯态的量子亏损实验测量值进行了修正.修正后的铯原子nP_(3/2)(n=70—94)态量子亏损测量值为3.5591±0.0007,与理论计算值相吻合.     

微波调制的里德堡原子集体量子跳跃

对于一个三能级原子体系,原子的两个基态能级通过微波耦合起来,其中一个基态能级可被激发到里德堡态,从而可观察量子跳跃现象.本文采用量子轨线方法研究了微波调制的里德堡原子集体量子跳跃.研究结果表明,微波耦合基态能级可以提高光子关联,增强光子聚束效应,即使较少的原子中也可以观察到系统在高里德堡占据数态和低里德堡占据数态之间的切换.这一结果为将来进一步研究里德堡自旋晶格中的多体动力学提供了新思路.     

稀薄里德伯原子气体中的两体纠缠

量子纠缠是量子信息处理和量子计算中不可或缺的物理资源,制备稳定可操控的量子纠缠是研究的热点之一.里德伯原子具有不同于普通中性原子的特点,长寿命和原子之间强烈的偶极相互作用,使得它成为量子信息处理和量子计算的最优候选者.本文在稀薄里德伯原子气体中,构建了空间四面体排布的里德伯原子模型(空间等距的四个原子模型),通过数值求解主方程来研究两体纠缠和里德伯激发的稳态和瞬态动力学性质,发现偶极阻塞机制下的量子纠缠最大,其他满足反偶极阻塞条件的高阶激发引起的纠缠较小,进而从理论上分析了这两种机制下量子纠缠的物理实质.     

Rydberg excitations in Bose-Einstein condensates in quasi-one-dimensional potentials and optical lattices

We experimentally realize Rydberg excitations in Bose-Einstein condensates of rubidium atoms loaded into quasi-one-dimensional traps and in optical lattices. Our results for condensates expanded to different sizes in the one-dimensional trap agree well with the intuitive picture of a chain of Rydberg excitations. We also find that the Rydberg excitations in the optical lattice do not destroy the phase coherence of the condensate, and our results in that system agree with the picture of localized collective Rydberg excitations including nearest-neighbor blockade.     

Low-energy thermal excitations in the V-O system

The thermal excitations of the atoms of the V-O solid solution have been investigated by the slow-neutron scattering method for low-energy transfers. The features of the low-frequency excitations of a light impurity in the metal lattice for energy transfers ? ≈ 1.3 and 2.4 meV have been revealed. It is assumed that the observed low-energy excitations appear in V-O due to strong local distortions around an impurity atom, which are responsible for the formation of the effective potential of a complex shape with the almost flat bottom. Analysis of the interaction of oxygen with the nearest matrix atoms shows that the low-energy excitations of oxygen atoms can be attributed to the splitting of the ground state in the complex potential. The level scheme of the split state can be obtained in the representation of decelerated circular quantum rotation about the axis passing through the two nearest metal atoms or the motion in a two-dimensional potential well. The results indicate that rotational low-energy excitations can exist in (metal-interstitial impurity) solid solutions.