arXiv subjects

Johannes Block

Publications and source records attributed to Johannes Block.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

Casimir--Polder induced Rydberg macrodimers

We theoretically investigate Rydberg atom pair potentials of Rb atoms in front of a perfectly conducting plate. The pair potentials are perturbed by both the Casimir--Polder potential acting on a single atom and the scattering contribution to the interatomic interaction. In contrast to the pair potentials in free space, at atom-surface distances $d_s \lesssim 4\,μ$m, avoided crossings appear. In the associated potential wells that are entirely due to dispersion interactions with the surface, there exist vibrational bound states, i.e. Rydberg macrodimers, with groundstate energies of up to $E = -68\,$MHz and radial expectation values of the order of several $μ$m.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2017

Van der Waals interaction potential between Rydberg atoms near surfaces

Van der Waals interactions, as a result of the exchange of photons between particles, can be altered by modifying the environment through which these photons propagate. As a consequence, phenomena such as the Rydberg blockade mechanism between highly excited atoms or excitons, can be controlled by adding reflecting surfaces. We provide the quantum electrodynamic framework for the van der Waals interaction in the nonretarded limit that is relevant for long-wavelength transitions such as those between Rydberg systems, and show its intimate connection with common static dipole-dipole interactions, thereby providing a generalization to include macroscopic bodies.

physics.atom-ph↗