arXiv · 1611.07697
Quantum Zeno suppression of dipole-dipole forces
Abstract
We consider inter-atomic forces due to resonant dipole-dipole interactions within a dimer of highly excited Rydberg atoms, embedded in an ultra-cold gas. These forces rely on a coherent superposition of two-atom electronic states, which is destroyed by continuous monitoring of the dimer state through a detection scheme utilizing controllable interactions with the background gas atoms. We show that this intrinsic decoherence of the molecular energy surface can gradually deteriorate a repulsive dimer state, causing a mixing of attractive and repulsive character. For sufficiently strong decoherence, a Zeno-like effect causes a complete arrest of interatomic forces. We finally show how short decohering pulses can controllably redistribute population between the different molecular energy surfaces.
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Sebastian Wüster. 2016-11-23. Quantum Zeno suppression of dipole-dipole forces. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.119.013001
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