Observation and measurement of interaction-induced dispersive optical nonlinearities in an ensemble of cold Rydberg atoms

We observe and measure dispersive optical nonlinearities in an ensemble of cold Rydberg atoms placed inside an optical cavity. The experimental results are in agreement with a simple model where the optical nonlinearities are due to the progressive appearance of a Rydberg blockaded volume within the...

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Published inPhysical review letters Vol. 109; no. 23; p. 233602
Main Authors Parigi, Valentina, Bimbard, Erwan, Stanojevic, Jovica, Hilliard, Andrew J, Nogrette, Florence, Tualle-Brouri, Rosa, Ourjoumtsev, Alexei, Grangier, Philippe
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 07.12.2012
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Summary:We observe and measure dispersive optical nonlinearities in an ensemble of cold Rydberg atoms placed inside an optical cavity. The experimental results are in agreement with a simple model where the optical nonlinearities are due to the progressive appearance of a Rydberg blockaded volume within the medium. The measurements allow a direct estimation of the "blockaded fraction" of atoms within the atomic ensemble.
ISSN:1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.233602