Rydberg Molecules Bound by Strong Light Fields
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The coupling of an isolated quantum state to a continuum is typically associated with decoherence and decreased lifetime. For coupling rates larger than the bandwidth of the associated continuum, decoherence can be mitigated, and new stable eigenstates emerge. Here, we laser-couple diatomic molecules of highly excited Rydberg atoms, so-called Rydberg macrodimers, to a continuum of free motional states. Enabled by their small vibrational eigenfrequencies, we achieve the regime of strong continuum couplings and observe the appearance of new resonances. We explain the observed spectroscopic features as molecular states emerging in the presence of the light field using a Fano model. For atoms arranged on a lattice, we predict the strong continuum coupling to even stabilize triatomic molecules and find the first signatures of these by observing three-atom loss correlations using quantum gas microscopy. Our results present a mechanism to control decoherence and bind polyatomic molecules using strong light-matter interactions. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
Source: PRX Quantum
Authors: Simon Hollerith, Valentin Walther, Kritsana Srakaew, David Wei, Daniel Adler, Suchita Agrawal, Pascal Weckesser, Immanuel Bloch, Johannes Zeiher
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,450
Funders: National Science Foundation, Smithsonian Institution, Harvard University, International Max Planck Research School for Environmental, Cellular and Molecular Microbiology, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Frauen, International Max Planck Research School for Advanced Methods in Process and Systems Engineering, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, HORIZON EUROPE Framework Programme
OpenAlex ID: W4401638595